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买卖不成仁义在

mǎi mài bù chéng rén yì zài
Even if the deal falls through, the goodwill remains.

Business not completed, righteousness and kindness remain.

Even if a business transaction doesn't succeed, the relation...

Even if a business transaction doesn't succeed, the relationship and mutual respect between the parties should be preserved. It emphasizes that personal integrity and relationships are more important than a single deal.

In Chinese business culture, relationships (guanxi) are paramount. This saying encourages maintaining harmony and face for both sides, as you may do business again in the future.

Someone might say this after a negotiation fails, to reassure the other party that there are no hard feelings and the relationship is still valued.

It signals that one is a person of honor who values long-term relationships over short-term gain. This builds trust and reputation, which are crucial in Chinese social and business networks.

#relationships #social-rules #honesty #friendship

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