A poor family produces a dutiful son, but a loyal minister is hard to see. You will know the pine and cypress when it is cold, and you will see the truth when it is difficult. A man knows his companion in a long journey and an inn. What does this mean?
A poor family gives birth to a dutiful son, but it is difficult for the country to see a loyal minister: children from poor families will be filial to their parents, and it is difficult for the country to know whether this official is loyal.
When you are cold, you will know the pine and cypress, but when you are in trouble, you will see the tenacity of the pine and cypress. You don't know whether feelings are true or not until you experience them.
It takes a long time to see the horse's ability. After a long time, people will see their true thoughts.