蚍蜉撼树 ant shaking a tree
Explanation
比喻力量微薄而妄想动摇强大的势力，自不量力。
It is a metaphor for weak forces trying to shake powerful forces, underestimating oneself.
Origin Story
唐朝时期，诗人韩愈写诗讽刺一些不知天高地厚的人，妄加评论李白、杜甫的诗作。他写道：“蚍蜉撼大树，可笑不自量。”意思是说，像小小的蚂蚁，妄想撼动参天大树，真是可笑又不自量力。后来，人们就用“蚍蜉撼树”来比喻那些自不量力的人。
During the Tang Dynasty, the poet Han Yu wrote a poem satirizing those who were presumptuous and made wanton comments on the poems of Li Bai and Du Fu. He wrote, "An ant trying to shake a big tree, ridiculously self-important." It means that it is ridiculous and self-important for tiny ants to try to shake a huge tree. Later, the expression "蚍蜉撼树" was used to describe those who overestimate themselves.
Usage
用于形容不自量力，盲目乐观，以小敌大。
Used to describe underestimation of oneself, blind optimism, and the confrontation of small against large.
Examples
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他总是自以为是，蚍蜉撼树，结果一事无成。
ta zong shi zi yi wei shi, pifu hanshu, jieguo yishi wu cheng. buyao hao gaowuyu'an, pifu hanshu, yao liangli er xing
He is always self-righteous, trying to do the impossible, and ends up accomplishing nothing.
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不要好高骛远，蚍蜉撼树，要量力而行。
Don't be too ambitious; don't try to achieve the impossible; act within your means.