This saying means that while favors are not legally binding debts, they carry moral weight. The more favors you owe someone, the more you realize how much you owe them and how entangled your obligations become.
In Chinese society, 'guanxi' (relationships) is built on reciprocal favors. Unlike money debts, favor debts are never fully settled and create lasting bonds and obligations.
This saying highlights the social function of reciprocity in Chinese culture. It signals that favors are a serious currency of relationships, and acknowledging this debt deepens trust and mutual commitment.
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