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Producing food was
considered a sin, but not buying and selling it. But by shirking
action in this way, we can do no good to ourselves. If one goes on
contracting one 's actions in this way, one will end by destroying
oneself. As man thinks of ways of freeing himself from action,
action multiplies itself. In order that you may trade in grain, has
not someone else to grow the grain?
Then, are you too not
responsible for the violence involved in growing it? If it is a sin
to grow cotton, it is equally a sin to sell it. There may be
something wrong in growing cotton, but it is wrong to think of
giving it up on that account. To push away all actions, saying that
neither this, nor that, and indeed nothing, should be done - in this
attitude there is no true compassion. On the other hand, this is the
end of compassion. When the leaves are plucked, the tree does not
die; on the contrary, it puts forth fresh leaves. In narrowing one's
action, one narrows one's soul.
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