Monks, there are these four means of sustaining a favorable relationship.

What four?

Giving, endearing speech, beneficent conduct, and equality.

These are the four means of sustaining a favorable relationship.

Giving, endearing speech, beneficent conduct, and equality under diverse worldly conditions, as is suitable to fit each case: these means of sustaining a favorable relationship are like the linchpin of a rolling chariot.

If there were no such means of sustaining a favorable relationship, neither mother nor father would be able to obtain admiration and respect from their children.

But since there exist these means of sustaining a favorable relationship, wise people respect them; thus they attain to greatness and are highly praised.

(Reference: AN 4.32)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that giving, endearing speech, beneficial conduct, and equality are how to sustain favorable relationships just like “the linchpin of a rolling chariot”.

A chariot or cart is pulled by horses with a primary “linchpin” that connects the cart and horses. Without the “linchpin”, the chariot would not function or move. So too, if one is not practicing giving, endearing speech, beneficial conduct, and equality, then there is no ability to experience favorable relationships.

One’s generosity, endearing speech, beneficent conduct, and equality are a “linchpin” or primary aspect of one’s life that determines whether one has favorable relationships or not.