奴顏婢膝

First attested in the late 9^th century, in the following poem:

奴顏婢膝真乞丐，反以正直為狂癡 [Literary Chinese, trad.]

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奴颜婢膝真乞丐，反以正直为狂痴 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

From: Tang Dynasty, 陸龜蒙 (Lu Guimeng), 《江湖散人歌》(Song of the Vagrant of Rivers and Lakes)

núyánbìxī zhēn qǐgài, fǎn yǐ zhèngzhí wéi kuángchī [Pinyin]

Those servile beggars scorn me, a man of virtue, as a mad fool.

奴顏婢膝

1. subservient; servile