lay Dumb, But Not Crazy

Feign Madness but Keep Your Balance Better to feign foolishness and refrain from action than to pose as clever and act rashly. Remain calm and still, disclosing no design of one’s own—like thunder latent in the clouds or strength stored up in winter: outwardly motionless, inwardly awaiting the moment to burst forth. Allusion:During the Three Kingdoms period, after the death of Emperor Ming of Wei, Sima Yi and the grand general Cao Shuang jointly served as regents. Cao Shuang stripped Sima Yi of military power by promoting him outwardly while diminishing his real authority. Sima Yi did not resist openly; instead, he pleaded illness and ceased attending court, feigning grave sickness and confusion of mind. Cao Shuang sent his trusted aide Li Sheng to probe the truth. At the meeting, Sima Yi deliberately put on the appearance of senility and befuddlement—speaking incoherently and unable even to get porridge into his mouth—so that Cao Shuang concluded he was no longer worth worrying about and completely relaxed his guard. In 249 AD, while Cao Shuang was accompanying......