because the mountain is on the borders of a great state,
they were cut down with axes and saws, so how could
they retain their beauty? Yet they continued through
the cycle of life and the feeding of the rain and dew to
put forth buds and new leaves. But the cattle and goats
came and browsed amongst the trees and destroyed
them. This is why the mountain is now bare and
stripped. People look at it and think this is how
it has always been. But this is not the true nature
of the mountain. And this is also the case with
humanity. Surely we were not without
benevolence and righteousness? The way in
which a person loses their true goodness
is just like the way that trees are destroyed
by the axe. Cut down day after day,
how can the mind, any more than the tree,
retain its beauty or continue to live?
(Mencius, translated by D.C. Lau)
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