"Master, I am studying anthropogenics or, as in the Scientific American 1970 (Sept. p.78) the 'Side Effects of Man'. What stupidity of mankind to allow AND participate freely in the total destruction of all life on the planet!"
"Very True. It is precisely therefore that we should NOT call it a side effect, but the main-, the only important-, lethal effect of man. All other effects, although very interesting for persons themselves, are mere child's play. If, say, Brussel's Sprout caused the extinction of the great reptiles, it was very bad for the reptiles, but there was plenty of life left to go on. I am not sorry for Mankind at all, only for the children, the birds, the bees, tulips and crocusses, that they have to go too. I, for one, would rather have it like the great reptiles, man killing himself, but plenty of life going one enjoying life. Man, the only enemy of nature! A good Tao/Stoic is not afraid of-, or unduly occupied with-, death, but naturally he is sorry for the innocent, that life that will also be wiped out."