I think this proverb shares something with another one,good fences make good neighbors.
Also,another Chinese proverb 君子之交淡如水 kinda strikes the same string,too.
It's all about how we should build our relationships with others.they all suggest that we keep our distance and try not to get too close.maybe because when we get close we can easily get hurt,which is totally true.
And people look like they're perfect from a distance.however,nobody is perfect.when under close scrutiny,the flaws may appear annoying .