Poverty is not the real problem—laziness is. As long as people are hardworking, they can overcome poverty; but a lazy person will ruin a family's future regardless of wealth.
This saying reflects the Chinese work ethic and the belief that diligence (勤劳) is the key to success. It's often used to motivate children to work hard.
It emphasizes personal responsibility over fate—a deeply pragmatic view. By calling laziness a 'bug,' it dehumanizes the behavior, making it a fixable flaw rather than a permanent trait, and encourages families to correct it early.
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