Wang Zi Zun Da

Literal Meaning: feeling arrogant and self-important

Metaphorical Meaning: somebody is seen as delusions of grandeur and looks down upon the others.

Ma Yuan was a general of the East Han Dynasty (25 – 202 AD). At the beginning of the East Han Dynasty, Emperor Liu Xiu ruled the country, which was not in a united situation. Different warlords built their own countries and defended their borders by their armies. Among them, Gongsun Shu was the most powerful. Therefore, the warlord taking control of Longxi (today’s southeastern Gansu), Kui Xiao, sent his general Ma Yuan to prey for information from Gongsun Shu. Ma Yuan was trusted a lot by Kui Xiao for his talents, and he and Gongsun Shu were born and grew up in the same village; therefore, Ma believed that he would be warmly greeted and welcomed by Gongsun Shu. However, things went out his expectation. Gongsun Shu seemed to be arrogant on hearing Ma Yuan’s appearance. He sat in the golden chair in the palace with many guards standing in front of him. He talked briefly with Ma Yuan who stood a long distance away from him. Then he ordered Ma Yuan to go back to the hotel he lived. Afterwards he wanted to gave Ma Yuan a title in the name of a king, which discomforted Ma Yuan a lot. He said to his follower: “Now the country has not been united and it is still questionable for who will be the final winner. Gongsun Shu was such a cocky guy that offended his townsmen like me. How could the people with talents bear him and work for him?”

After returning to Kui Xiao, he said: “Gongsun Shu was just like a frog in the well. He felt self-important and looked down upon the others. It’s no good to ally with him. We’d better go over to Liu Xiu.”

Kui Xiao said yes to Ma’s suggestion and then they surrendered to Liu Xiu. Ma Yuan became a general of Liu Xiu and finally helped him defeat Gongsun Shu.