“A person cannot be without pride, but also cannot be without dignity.”

At any time, a person should have their own dignity.

Smart people don’t show off to others when they’re doing well, nor do they bully others. But when they’re in a tough spot, they still have their dignity.

Such people can endure hardships, stay calm in the face of danger, and achieve great things.

I once read a sentence in a novel: “A great man can bend and stretch, be a hero, and have dignity.”

In today’s society, it’s no longer about fighting and killing, but a person with dignity can still become a hero in their own right, making their future unlimited.

Smart people will keep their dignity, especially in tough times, just like a plum blossom blooming in the cold winter, its spirit admired by all.

Don’t Borrow Money from Those Who Look Down on You

The smarter you are, the more you’ll keep your dignity in tough times, and you won’t borrow money from those who look down on you.

In “Ode to Joy,” Fan Shengmei is a great example. When her father was hospitalized and had no money for medical expenses, her mother asked her to borrow money from Qu Xiaoxiao. However, Fan Shengmei refused to do so, maintaining her dignity.

A person can borrow money from others, but not from those who look down on them. If they lend you money, it’s a kind of humiliation.

Living in this world, you need to have a sense of dignity. Some people look down on you, and if they lend you money, they’ll talk behind your back, making it hard for you to hold your head up high.

Smart people understand this principle, so even in tough times, they won’t borrow money from those who look down on them.

Don’t Accept Charity from Certain People

When you’re in a tough spot, don’t accept charity from certain people, like relatives who gossip behind your back or those who like to kick you when you’re down.

When I was a kid, my grandmother was seriously ill, and our family had no money for her treatment. One time, she went to a neighbor’s house, and they were cooking meat. They thought my grandmother was too poor to even eat meat, so they gave her a bowl with a piece of meat in it. My grandmother saw the situation and walked away.

Sometimes, charity from certain people can be humiliating, like a thorn in your chest. If you accept their charity out of vanity or temptation, it’s a kind of harm to yourself. At least, after it’s all over, you’ll regret it.

Maybe some people will think that certain people’s charity isn’t really charity, but rather their way of helping you. However, when you see the condescending look in their eyes, you’ll realize how despicable they are.

Smart people will never accept charity from certain people. Instead, they’ll work hard to change themselves and become better, earning respect from others.

If you accept charity from certain people when you’re in a tough spot, and they look down on you with disdain, you’ll feel like you’re stuck in a rut because you’ve lost not only financially but also spiritually.

A person can be poor, but they must have dignity.

People with dignity are those with aspirations, who understand the meaning of living, and who live with dignity.

Don’t Try to Please Others Artificially

“Don’t rely on favors, and don’t try to please others artificially.”

A few years ago, this phrase was popular everywhere. When someone is good to you, you should be grateful, but don’t try to please them excessively.

When someone is bad to you, you don’t need to try to please them artificially. When you’re in a tough spot, you don’t need to go out of your way to please others.

Some friends will stay with you through thick and thin, giving you spiritual comfort and support. You should appreciate these people and cherish your relationships with them.

However, there are also people who will abandon you when you’re in a tough spot. Some might even kick you when you’re down.

Life gives you warmth, but it also gives you setbacks. No matter what, you should keep a clear head, not getting sentimental about others’ departures or getting arrogant about their company.

If someone leaves you when you’re in a tough spot, you don’t need to try to please them artificially. Maybe those who can’t stand the test will eventually leave, and you shouldn’t be sad or worried.

You should be someone who can let go and move on, knowing what to do in the present. If you’re in a tough spot, focus on making yourself better, rather than trying to please others.

Last year, I got sick and went to Xi’an for treatment. I hadn’t seen my best friend in years, so I went to visit her.

For someone who’s sick, finding a friend is not easy, but I still went. However, when I found her, everything wasn’t as I had imagined. She saw that I was sick, and her tone changed. The next day, I went to the hospital, and she said her feet hurt and left.

At night, she wanted to sleep with me, and her phone was ringing loudly, disturbing my rest.

The next day, she felt I was a burden and looked at me with disdain. Finally, she even deleted me.

When she deleted me, I also deleted her. Maybe my heart was hurt at that moment, but looking back, I realized that such friends would eventually leave anyway.

You don’t need to be arrogant, but you need to have dignity. You need to be down-to-earth, rich in spirit, and not superficial.

In the midst of material desires, you need a calm and peaceful heart, rejecting the flashy and returning to simplicity. You should face life with a calm and confident smile.

Living with dignity is about being strong and gentle, with a broad mind and a strong heart. You should be firm, courageous, and have a heroic spirit.