“Never ever do business with the government. Be in love with them, never marry them.”

The literal meaning is a strict warning to maintain a positive, respectful relationship with state authorities without ever becoming financially entangled with them. Strategically, it highlights the extreme dangers of relying on government contracts or political favors, which can vanish instantly with a change in administration or policy. In heavily regulated markets, companies that fuse themselves to the state often lose their ability to innovate and become targets when political winds shift. Global executives and international entrepreneurs use this mantra to navigate complex foreign markets, ensuring they remain compliant but fiercely independent. Jack Ma navigated the incredibly complex political landscape of China by ensuring Alibaba was indispensable to the economy while fiercely protecting its operational autonomy from state control. Respect the power of regulators, but build your foundation entirely on the value you provide to the consumer. True corporate sovereignty requires absolute financial independence from political entities.