大智若愚

Origin and story

Su Shi's letter congratulating Ouyang Xiu on his retirement provides a close antecedent. In He Ouyang Shaoshi Zhishi Qi (賀歐陽少師致仕啟), Su praises great courage that seems timid and great wisdom that seems foolish, using 大智如愚. The apparent contradiction distinguishes real capacity from outward display.

The later version with 若 is attested in Li Zhi's writings. Although this pattern resembles the Laozi's idea that great skill can seem clumsy, 大智若愚 should not simply be presented as a direct Laozi quotation. It praises an unshowy person whose judgment is better than appearances suggest; it does not mean that actual foolishness is wisdom.