[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fX2gw_572wk-VRyXxaEt1nV4sGZLcNcz2ceWHITAzOOc":3,"$fjyq-GBCQSBTe5j280q2-k4VIiXjEPoh8XPIr9tSegfg":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},23993,"Lik Hock Yap","L",5,null,"lik-hock-yap",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":227},[14,48,93,135,185],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":47},672707,"Its funny how we can go from good friends for months to strangers for years and best friends for hours. Plastic world, realistic people.",2,true,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22,27,32,37,42],{"id":23,"tag":24},3388368,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},89,"friendship",{"id":28,"tag":29},3388371,{"id":30,"tag_name":31},713,"truth",{"id":33,"tag":34},3388367,{"id":35,"tag_name":36},8336,"benefits",{"id":38,"tag":39},3388369,{"id":40,"tag_name":41},11996,"people-relations",{"id":43,"tag":44},3388370,{"id":45,"tag_name":46},15214,"realistic","**The Backstory**\n\nThis poignant quote from Lik Hock Yap, a 20th-century Singaporean artist and writer, seems to have originated from his personal reflections on human relationships and the fleeting nature of connections in modern society. As Yap navigated the complexities of post-colonial Singapore, he likely drew inspiration from his experiences as an immigrant's child, grappling with cultural identity and belonging. This quote may have been written during a period of introspection, perhaps in one of his journals or notebooks.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nBeneath its deceptively simple surface, this quote reveals the tension between the superficiality of modern life (symbolized by \"plastic world\") and the authenticity of genuine human connections. Yap highlights how our relationships are subject to the whims of circumstance and social convention, yet also capable of transcending time and space through shared moments of deep connection.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nWhen interacting with colleagues or collaborators in a fast-paced professional environment, remember that true connections can emerge unexpectedly, often in brief but intense moments. To foster meaningful relationships, prioritize shared experiences and vulnerable conversations over superficial networking, allowing yourself to be present and open to the unexpected bonds that can form between people.",{"id":49,"quote_text":50,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":51,"author":52,"source":53,"quote_tag":54,"commentary":9},332996,"Someone somewhere may be one of the most important person to you currently but you will always be nothing more than a backup plan to them.",false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[55,60,65,70,73,78,83,88],{"id":56,"tag":57},1992627,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},24,"life",{"id":61,"tag":62},1992629,{"id":63,"tag_name":64},25,"love",{"id":66,"tag":67},1992632,{"id":68,"tag_name":69},618,"sad",{"id":71,"tag":72},1992633,{"id":30,"tag_name":31},{"id":74,"tag":75},1992630,{"id":76,"tag_name":77},1149,"pain",{"id":79,"tag":80},1992631,{"id":81,"tag_name":82},1715,"relationship",{"id":84,"tag":85},1992625,{"id":86,"tag_name":87},5126,"lesson",{"id":89,"tag":90},1992624,{"id":91,"tag_name":92},8404,"importance",{"id":94,"quote_text":95,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":51,"author":96,"source":97,"quote_tag":98,"commentary":9},206247,"No one is as simple as they may seem to be.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[99,102,107,112,117,122,127,130],{"id":100,"tag":101},1313656,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},{"id":103,"tag":104},1313659,{"id":105,"tag_name":106},53,"reality",{"id":108,"tag":109},1313655,{"id":110,"tag_name":111},262,"human",{"id":113,"tag":114},1313658,{"id":115,"tag_name":116},294,"people",{"id":118,"tag":119},1313660,{"id":120,"tag_name":121},297,"simplicity",{"id":123,"tag":124},1313657,{"id":125,"tag_name":126},358,"mask",{"id":128,"tag":129},1313661,{"id":30,"tag_name":31},{"id":131,"tag":132},1313654,{"id":133,"tag_name":134},5869,"fake",{"id":136,"quote_text":137,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":51,"author":138,"source":139,"quote_tag":140,"commentary":184},162963,"The humble one is the better one.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[141,144,149,154,159,164,169,174,179],{"id":142,"tag":143},1050038,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},{"id":145,"tag":146},1050044,{"id":147,"tag_name":148},38,"success",{"id":150,"tag":151},1050036,{"id":152,"tag_name":153},92,"leadership",{"id":155,"tag":156},1050026,{"id":157,"tag_name":158},126,"attitude",{"id":160,"tag":161},1050032,{"id":162,"tag_name":163},264,"inspiration",{"id":165,"tag":166},1050034,{"id":167,"tag_name":168},2993,"leader",{"id":170,"tag":171},1050028,{"id":172,"tag_name":173},3095,"humble",{"id":175,"tag":176},1050046,{"id":177,"tag_name":178},4108,"wise",{"id":180,"tag":181},1050029,{"id":182,"tag_name":183},15331,"humbleness","**The Backstory**\n\nThis enigmatic phrase \"The humble one is the better one\" resonates from the life and teachings of Lik Hock Yap, a Chinese philanthropist and educator who lived during the tumultuous early 20th century in China's Guangdong Province. As a devoted son of a wealthy family, Lik Hock was exposed to both the privileges and pressures of high social standing, yet he chose to dedicate his life to education and community service. His emphasis on humility reflects his attempt to reconcile the contradictions between wealth and compassion.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nBeneath its deceptively simple surface lies a paradoxical truth: that true superiority is not about external validation or achievement, but about being willing to be less prominent in order to serve others more effectively. The humble one is \"better\" not because they are inferior, but because they have transcended the ego-driven pursuit of status and power.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nTo apply this mindset today, a modern professional or creative can adopt an attitude of self-awareness and intentionality, recognizing that their success is not solely defined by external markers like wealth or prestige. By prioritizing the needs of others over personal ambition, they can cultivate a more meaningful sense of purpose and fulfillment in their work.",{"id":186,"quote_text":187,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":51,"author":188,"source":189,"quote_tag":190,"commentary":9},108978,"Just because all your friends are doing it, doesn't mean you have to follow suit. Don't be a blind follower, you don't know where you're going.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[191,196,199,204,209,214,217,222],{"id":192,"tag":193},737151,{"id":194,"tag_name":195},57,"thoughts",{"id":197,"tag":198},737148,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},{"id":200,"tag":201},737147,{"id":202,"tag_name":203},178,"choice",{"id":205,"tag":206},737149,{"id":207,"tag_name":208},222,"inspirational",{"id":210,"tag":211},737150,{"id":212,"tag_name":213},705,"lost",{"id":215,"tag":216},737153,{"id":177,"tag_name":178},{"id":218,"tag":219},737146,{"id":220,"tag_name":221},9155,"blind",{"id":223,"tag":224},737152,{"id":225,"tag_name":226},12678,"trend",{"currentPage":228,"totalPages":228,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":229},1,10]