In the Natural State, Barbarism Devours Civilization

Xuefeng

On the same piece of land, if you scatter a mix of wild grass seeds and wheat seeds, which will thrive after a few years—wild grass or wheat?

If you raise a wolf pup and a human infant together without any external intervention, when they grow up, will the wolf pup become human, or will the infant become a wolf?

If you place an adult into a gang of thugs and leave them there for three to five years, will that person turn into a refined gentleman or a thug?

If Elon Musk had been immersed in Confucian culture since childhood, would he become today’s globally celebrated tech “Iron Man,” or would he become a staunch cultural traditionalist?

There is a profound truth in nature: in the natural state, barbarism devours civilization.

A person living among scientists is highly likely to become a scientist. Conversely, a person living among thugs is highly likely to become one.

An angel, if immersed in a devilish environment for long enough, will gradually become an accomplice to devils.

Civilized individuals are easily ensnared by barbarism, but barbarians are rarely assimilated by civilization. The more primitive, barbaric, ignorant, backward, and coarse something is, the more resilient its survival capability.

A culture that has endured for thousands of years without collapse demonstrates its tenacious power to erode and assimilate. This suggests that the culture is relatively barbaric, ignorant, backward, and coarse, rather than advanced and civilized.

Recognizing this principle—that in the natural state, barbarism devours civilization—those aspiring to be civilized must vigilantly guard against the following eight points:

1.Avoid working or living in barbaric and backward places whenever possible.

2.Steer clear of regions that are closed-off and unfriendly to outsiders.

3.Distance yourself from unreasonable and uncivilized individuals around you.

4.Avoid those who are deeply entrenched in traditional mindsets.

5.Gravitate toward places that are advanced, civilized, and open.

6.Align yourself with civilized people.

7.Refrain from anger and complaints; focus instead on doing everything possible to move closer to civilized places and groups.

8.If you find yourself unable to escape a barbaric and ignorant environment, maintain maximum independence and uphold principles of civilization.

Living in a pigsty for long enough will make you a pig. Living in a sheepfold for long enough will make you a sheep.

No matter how hard one practices or cultivates spiritually while living in a pigsty, they cannot become an immortal or a Buddha. If one’s mind is preoccupied with marriage and family, nations and states, religions and parties, or wealth, power, and fame, no amount of effort will lead them to paradise.

Walking toward heaven represents the most meaningful life and the wisest choice.

December 10, 2024