Bále máo de fènghuáng bùrú jī.*

拔了毛的鳳凰不如雞。

Lit A plucked phoenix is not as [good as a] chicken.

Fig One who is out of office or favor becomes a nobody. A defective thing is of no value, no matter how superior it used to be.

Note [See also dézhì māor and fènghuáng luò jià and sǐ zhīfǔ below.]

Topics DECLINE POWER RUIN VALUE