This saying emphasizes loyalty to those who stood by you during difficult times. It warns against discarding old friends or a faithful spouse once you achieve success or wealth.
Rooted in Confucian ethics of loyalty and gratitude. The phrase '糟糠之妻' specifically refers to a wife who endured poverty with her husband, and abandoning her is considered deeply shameful.
It reinforces the moral duty of gratitude and loyalty, which are core values in Chinese culture. This saying acts as a social check against the arrogance that often accompanies upward mobility.
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