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Poetry · Chapter
LX explained
The chapter reflects on the distinction between uprooting an evil and rooting it up, emphasizing the difference lies in the reformer's approach.
What happens
The chapter reflects on the distinction between uprooting an evil and rooting it up, emphasizing the difference lies in the reformer's approach.
Key passages
“In eradicating an evil, it makes a difference whether it is uprooted or rooted up. The difference is in the reformer.”
When removing a problem, the method matters—whether it is completely eliminated or merely displaced depends on the person doing the reforming.
This aphorism highlights the subtle but significant impact of the reformer's character and technique on the outcome of reform.