The term “complacent” in literature often conveys an attitude of self-satisfaction that borders on smugness or indifference, revealing characters who are either subtly or overtly content with themselves. It appears in depictions of both physical demeanor—such as a “complacent grin” or “self-complacent smile” that communicates smug assurance ([1], [2], [3])—and deeper, more metaphorical states of being, where a character’s insensitivity to life’s challenges is likened to an unyielding, cold rock ([4]). Authors also deploy the word to contrast active ambition with a passive acceptance of success, thereby critiquing qualities like self-righteousness and vanity ([5], [6]). In various contexts, the term not only paints a vivid picture of character but also serves as a subtle indictment of complacency in personal and social realms, highlighting a tension between noble confidence and inert self-contentment ([7], [8]).