This saying criticizes those who are overly cunning or scheming, suggesting that excessive cleverness can backfire. It implies that trying to manipulate every situation ultimately leads to one's own downfall.
This phrase comes from the classic Chinese novel 'Dream of the Red Chamber' (红楼梦), where it describes the character Wang Xifeng, whose scheming ultimately brings her ruin. It reflects a cultural wariness of excessive calculation.
This saying serves as a moral warning against cunning and manipulation. It signals that Chinese culture values sincerity and straightforwardness over trickery, and that being too clever is seen as a character flaw, not a virtue.
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