Dézhì māor, xióng sì hǔ; bài líng yīngwǔ bùrú jī.

得志貓兒雄似虎, 敗翎鸚鵡不如雞。

Lit [A] cat [that] achieves [its] goal [acts as] fierce as a tiger; [a] parrot [whose] feathers fall off is less valued than a chicken.

Fig A petty person who succeeds in something puts on great airs, while a great person who has fallen from power is looked down upon.

Note [Cf. Suí Táng Yǎnyì, chap. 8; JW, chap. 61; see also bále máo de fènghuáng above.]

Topics ARROGANCE JW PETTINESS POWER Suí_Táng_Yǎnyì