Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 222 by HAN SHAN

First Line: A STATE RELIES ON PEOPLE
Last Line: GAINS ONLY A SHORT-TERM PROFIT
Subject(s): CHINESE LITERATURE; GOVERNMENT; NATURE;

A state relies on people
just as a tree depends on soil
if the soil is deep it thrives
if the soil is thin it withers
and if its roots are exposed
its limbs produce no fruit
draining a pond to catch fish
gains only a short-term profit



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