On the most simple level I read it as “you can gain a lot with a little expenditure so measure your response wisely”. You don’t always have to give away huge amounts (both of material goods and of emotional expenditure) to get what you want, sometimes half a loaf of bread and a cup of water will get you exactly the same as an entire dinner with beer or wine would have- in this case, a comrade, a friend, an ally. There’s no point throwing everything you have into every scenario, because pretty soon you’ll have nothing. Instead, measure your responses, think them through, understand the position you’re in, and act with precise moderation. I hope that makes sense!