Roots of Wisdom - Contaminated Mind

"Mountains and forests are excellent places.  

But once you put designs on them, they become no better than the marketplace.

Books and paintings are elegant things.  

But once they are coveted unreasonably, they become no better than pawned goods.

Generally, if the mind is untainted, 

even the vulgar world is the realm of sages.

But if the mind is infatuated, even places of pleasure become seas of regret."

"If the heart is uncontaminated, everywhere is a good place."

(From the book "Roots of Wisdom" written by Hong Yingming)