This sentence was written by Gu Li, a minister of the Eastern Han Dynasty, in order to persuade his friend Huang Qiong to apply for this position and help the people.
Extended data
During the Yong Jian period of Emperor Shun of Han Dynasty, Huang Qiong, who was repeatedly declined to be hired by the imperial court, refused to return to work due to illness. Coulee has always admired Huang Qiong, so he wrote this letter "Huang Qiong's Book" and urged him to come to Luoyang as soon as possible. The letter not only encouraged and persuaded him to be an official, but also put himself in the position of how to deal with his road to being an official. The whole article has both gentle and ironic persuasion and inspiring encouragement, which is euphemistic and touching, sincere and sincere.
"Fame, it is really hard to be inferior" is not only an evaluation of the conquered people, but also the meaning of encouraging and urging Huang Qiong to be vigilant. The fact that the former conqueror was unpopular was an expression of his deep feelings. It is both a vague warning and a "provocation", but it is only expressed in twists and turns.
References:
Baidu Encyclopedia-Huang Qiongshu's Heritage