Knowing One's Limits

One comes across writers that are possessed of an intellect that is fine at its proper level, but deluded by the apparent success of their minds when within their limits, they attempt to philosophise beyond their capacity. The larger the attempted scope, the more embarrassing the results; a bit like a reasonable miniature work of art blown up to epic proportions where its inherent flaws become magnified to monstrous and farcical levels. Or perhaps a party balloon persuading itself it is of the full blown hot-air variety.