Gōngsī lǐ xiǎorén-dézhì de xiànxiàng ràng dàjiā xīnhán.
The phenomenon of petty people getting power at this company has chilled everyone's hearts.
Tips
history
From a Liu-Song dynasty (5th c.) memorial by 何承天: 若使小人得志，君子道消 ('if petty men come into power, the way of the gentleman fades'). The phrase pairs the Confucian opposition between 君子 ('noble person') and 小人 ('petty person').
register
Strongly negative, used to condemn someone newly elevated who acts arrogant or vindictive. Usually said about, not to, the person.
