This proverb emphasizes the importance of constancy and fidelity in love and friendship. It is easy to show affection and care when the other person is close, but it is equally important to maintain this love and friendship even when there is a distance. True love should not falter just because the other person is far away. An equivalent English proverb might be ‘Out of sight, out of mind,’ which conveys the opposite idea of remaining faithful despite the distance.