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 interactions, particularly for individuals in middle age, advocating for the idea that true wisdom lies in not flaunting one's intelligence or correcting others' perceived foolishness [4][5]. Group 1: Not Flaunting Intelligence - The story of a character named Lao Ding illustrates how boasting about one's achievements can lead to social isolation, as colleagues distanced themselves from him due to his arrogance [8][9]. - Lao Ding's realization, prompted by his father's advice, led him to stop showcasing his successes and instead listen to others, resulting in improved relationships and social acceptance [11][12]. - The article cites Schopenhauer, stating that showing off one's talents often ridicules others' shortcomings, revealing one's superficiality and potentially offending others [12][13]. Group 2: Not Correcting Others' "Foolishness" - The article discusses the futility of trying to change others, using the metaphor of a dog in the rain to illustrate that everyone has their own struggles and should be allowed to navigate them [19][21]. - An anecdote about a writer named Li Xiaoyi highlights the negative consequences of correcting a friend's mistake, which led to the friend avoiding her in the future [24][27]. - The article references Mo Yan, who refrains from giving unsolicited advice, emphasizing that each person's experience is unique and that imposing one's views can be counterproductive [30][32].