A lazy person sits around and does nothing all day and get away with it, but if a hard-working person sits down for one second, everybody loses their mind…
It's the old expression... "Better to remain silent and be thought of as an idiot than to speak and remove all doubt". Even if the goal isn't wealth, fame, or power, there are many good reasons to keep to one's self.
Took me almost 30 years to learn these lessons. No one gets to the top by being kind or benevolent, and kindness is not rewarded. It is taken advantage of.
Its all about balance. Don't be a jerk, but don't waste any energy trying to convince people you're not a jerk. Everyone makes assumptions and creates their own image of every person they meet. Just let them believe what they want. People don't give a damn about the truth. They only care about things that appeal to their emptions, and maintaining their identity and status.