I remember hearing it mainly in the context of fiber workers/artists (though that's the modern term for them), Western culture (Europe and North America), possibly medieval through 18th Century--Puritan, perhaps? Hubris was the best term I could think of, though really it was more of a Christian thing, only God is perfect so we shouldn't even try to attain that in our work--it's a sin of pride. If I nail it down more closely, I'll let you know.