人到中年最难的自律：不炫耀自己聪明，不改变别人愚蠢

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of humility and self-restraint in personal and professional growth, particularly in middle age, advocating for the idea that true wisdom lies in concealing one's talents and refraining from correcting others' perceived shortcomings [4][17][50]. Group 1: The Importance of Humility - The narrative illustrates how boasting about one's achievements can lead to social isolation, as seen in the story of a character named Lao Ding, who initially alienated colleagues by flaunting his promotions [8][10][14]. - The article references the wisdom of Schopenhauer, who noted that showing off one's intelligence often ridicules others' ignorance, highlighting the superficiality of such behavior [16][17]. - It cites the example of writer Shen Congwen, who, despite his literary success, humbly claimed ignorance of music, demonstrating that true talent does not require constant validation [18][21][25]. Group 2: Restraint in Correcting Others - The article discusses the futility of trying to correct others, using the metaphor of a dog in the rain to illustrate that everyone faces their own struggles and does not need unsolicited advice [30][33]. - It recounts an incident involving writer Li Xiaoyi, who lost a friend by harshly critiquing their purchase, underscoring the negative impact of correcting others on relationships [36][40]. - The piece concludes with the notion that individuals should focus on listening rather than speaking, allowing others to learn and grow from their experiences without interference [47][48].