Xiǎorén dézhì, bù kě yī shì.*

Lit [When a] petty person gets into [a position of] power, [he considers himself] unexcelled in the world.

Fig When a petty person gets into a position of power, (s)he becomes insufferably arrogant.

Note [Rhyme; note: both halves are used as chengyu: xiǎorén-dézhì, “villains hold sway”; bùkě-yīshì, “(to be) insufferably arrogant”; see also yīzhāo quán zài shǒu and the following entry.]

Topics ARROGANCE bùkě-yīshì chengyu PETTINESS POWER xiǎorén-dézhì