This saying exposes the harsh reality that people are often judged by wealth, not character. When you are poor, even neighbors ignore you; when you are rich, even strangers claim kinship.
Reflects the traditional Chinese social reality where family connections and social status were tightly linked to economic standing. It's a cynical observation about human nature.
It serves as a social critique and a cautionary tale. By voicing this, people acknowledge the painful truth of transactional relationships and remind themselves to value genuine loyalty over fair-weather connections.
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