Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 222, by HAN SHAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 222, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A state relies on people
Last Line: Gains only a short-term profit
Alternate Author Name(s): Kanzan; Hanshan; Han-shan
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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