The Mind

Mountains and forests—excellent places.
    But once you place designs on them,
   They become no better than the marketplace.
Books and paintings—elegant things.
    But once they are coveted unreasonably,
    They are no better than pawned goods.
Generally, if the mind is untainted,
Even the vulgar world is the realm of the sages.
But if the mind is infatuated,
Even places of pleasure become seas of regret.

                                    ---Hung Ying-ming---