feigned madness, n.All

Feigned madness (n.) was ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠Solon's cunning: he played the insane for his own safety and to render additional service to the state.