This saying suggests that when you are poor, your true friends will show their loyalty, while when you are rich, relatives may come out of the woodwork to share in your fortune. It contrasts the sincerity of friendship with the opportunism of some family ties.
In Chinese culture, family is traditionally considered the most important bond, but this saying offers a cynical twist, suggesting that friends may be more genuine in hard times, while relatives may only appear when there is something to gain.
This saying serves as a social commentary on human nature and the complexities of relationships. It signals a pragmatic awareness that loyalty is tested in adversity, and that wealth can attract insincere attention, even from family.
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