A Minimalist Proverb for Getting Along With People

1. Human hearts have no absolute purity. In everything, assume the worst, set up defenses in advance, and you’ll be hurt less.
2. Inner drive matters more than pressure. Being interested yet ashamed of yourself—this is the real confidence for lasting self-improvement.
3. Economics are the foundation of a family. Build your career first, and then talk about favors and romance.
4. Every “free” gift in the world has long been quietly marked with an expensive cost to pay.
5. Do things a quarter of an hour early. When something comes up, stay composed and don’t panic—being punctual at banquets shows good manners.
6. When entertaining, don’t go to someone else’s place to cook at home; at a restaurant, don’t make things difficult. No matter how hard you work, you can’t buy people’s hearts.
7. When attending other people’s banquets, don’t bring your own friends. Don’t add trouble—know your boundaries. Only then can you sustain lasting goodwill.
8. The essence of human favors is exchange: if you have no value, it’s hard to maintain genuine, long-lasting contact.
9. Don’t lend out money or vehicles. If things get troublesome, decline and push it toward your family instead. Don’t harm feelings, and don’t leave behind disasters.