This extends the previous saying by adding a consequence: if you expose someone's flaw or lie, the friendship may end. Keeping silent preserves the relationship, even when you know the truth.
Friendship in Chinese culture often involves mutual face-saving. This saying is a practical guide for navigating close relationships where absolute honesty might be destructive.
It reinforces the idea that relationships are more valuable than being 'right'. The saying teaches that tolerance and tact are essential for long-term bonds, and that some truths are better left unspoken.
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