It suggests that all businessmen are cunning or sly, implying that business success often involves some degree of deception or sharp practice. It reflects a cynical view of commerce.
This saying reflects a historical distrust of merchants in Chinese agrarian society, where trade was sometimes seen as parasitic. It is often contrasted with the ideal of honest farming.
Chinese people use this to express skepticism about business motives and to warn others to be cautious in transactions. It signals a cultural wariness of profit-seeking behavior, even while engaging in it.
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