What’s more terrifying than poverty is poverty combined with self-deprecation.
People who lack self-esteem don't necessarily come from poverty, but those who are poor often exhibit self-doubt.
The Inferiority Complex of the Poor
The inferiority complex of the poor is not because of poverty, but rather a worship of the strong. Two hundred years ago, Europeans were more enthusiastic about nobles, and Chinese were more enthusiastic about official titles. Inferiority stems from being at the bottom of the scornful chain, and if others scorn you, or if you feel you are constantly inferior to others, you'll desperately try to climb the social ladder and fail.
China's centuries-long governance based on the bureaucracy – 'scholar-farmers-shopkeepers-merchants' – has traditionally placed merchants at the bottom of society. 'Poor but steadfast,' refusing to abandon lofty ambitions, even like Kong Yiji, who couldn't enter the upper echelons of society, still looked down upon the common people. This is a 'spiritual victory.' Starting in the 1980s with reforms and development, 'millionaires' became symbols of success, and 'billionaires' became human spiritual mentors, and 'influencers' became era idols. Money began to represent a person's status and identity.
Having money represents a high social status and a high social standing. Poor people begin to feel self-conscious because they can't afford to fly first class or stay in luxury hotels, and they hesitate to drive yachts, constantly observing others in relationships, drifting in and out, and then begin to feel self-conscious.
The poor are not simply inferior because of poverty; a lack of spiritual nourishment also contributes to their self-doubt. They are frustrated because they lack official titles, 'gentlemanly' appearances, and the role of a moral exemplar and life mentor. They experience intermittent ambition and persistent failure, turning to the bottom of the scornful chain with a 'mysterious smile.'
The poor try to sell hooks in the marketplace, but can't find family members or relatives. The rich wield knives, guns, and clubs in the deep mountains; they are useless in battle, but they have relatives and friends.
Even a great hero's hand cannon and overturning of rivers and seas cannot withstand the three words: hunger, cold, and poverty – Guo Degang
The so-called luxurious life is merely the result of diligent effort.
Inferiority resulting from poverty is rooted in a lack of understanding of the lives of the wealthy. There is no inherent difference in intelligence between people of different social ranks.
It's about experience. The more you go to nightclubs, the more you realize that drinking and dancing are just that. Riding a horse may not be much different from riding a cow or donkey in a rural area; a yacht may be similar to driving a car; relationships become complicated after many, and women's minds are not so difficult to understand. Once you're familiar with the rules and lifestyle, you've seen the world, and a sense of elegance and sophistication naturally permeates your being.The key for the poor is a lack of opportunities to learn from mistakes. One mistake can take ten years to recover from. The wealthy, however, have countless paths to take; if one fails, they can start over.The poor work with caution and fear, without guidance; the wealthy have a group of life mentors to handle things for them. They can manage ten businesses a day, and if all of them fail, it doesn't even hurt their bones; it's just a game.
The truth of life is that the poor have nothing to be self-conscious about.
It's shameful to stand still for ten years; that's when you should be self-conscious.
