Charity is in the heart of man, and righteousness in the path of men. Pity the man who has lost his path and does not follow it and who has lost his heart and does not know how to recover it. When people's dogs and chicks are lost they go out and look for them and yet the people who have lost their hearts do not go out and look for them. The principle of self-cultivation consists in nothing but trying to look for the lost heart.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of charity and righteousness in the human experience. It highlights the sorrow of individuals who have lost their way and lack the ability to recover their moral compass or find inner peace. It compares this to the way people actively seek and retrieve their lost pets or possessions but neglect to search for their lost sense of compassion or purpose. The quote encourages the principle of self-cultivation, suggesting that the key lies in making efforts to rediscover and reconnect with one's lost heart, ultimately finding fulfillment and a renewed sense of direction.