This saying warns that family wealth is often lost by the third generation—the first builds it, the second preserves it, and the third squanders it. It cautions against complacency and the lack of discipline in heirs.
This is a common observation in Chinese business families, where the founder works hard, the children enjoy comfort, and the grandchildren become spoiled and lose the fortune.
It serves as a cautionary tale about the fleeting nature of wealth and the importance of character over inheritance. It also reflects a fatalistic view that easy money breeds ruin.
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