This saying advises maintaining a balanced mindset regardless of your financial situation. When poor, keep your dreams and determination; when rich, stay humble and grounded, avoiding arrogance or reckless behavior.
This reflects the Confucian ideal of the 'gentleman' (junzi) who remains virtuous in both adversity and prosperity. It warns against the extremes of despair and hubris.
Chinese culture values emotional and moral stability. This saying is used to promote resilience and humility, signaling that one's character should not be defined by external circumstances, and that both poverty and wealth are tests of virtue.
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