山径之蹊间，介然用之而成路；为间不用，则茅塞之矣。
A trail through the mountains, if used, becomes a path in a short time but, if unused, becomes blocked by grass in an equally short time.
中国经济网华盛顿2009年7月28日讯：美国总统奥巴马在首轮中美战略与经济对话开幕式上发表致辞时，引用了中国先哲孟子的话。他说，数千年前，伟大的哲学家孟子曾说过：“山径之蹊间，介然用之而成路；为间不用，则茅塞之矣。”我们的任务就是为子孙后代的未来打造一条通道－－防止因一时的误解或不可避免的分歧令这条蹊径为茅所塞；永远不要忘记我们携手走过的旅程。
The first round of the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue was held in Washington during the past two days.As expected, the talks focused on China's concern over the safety of US assets. Intriguingly, US officials frequently quoted Chinese adages in their speeches.
Addressing the opening session, US President Barack Obama cited ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius as saying, "a trail through the mountains, if used, becomes a path in a short time but, if unused, becomes blocked by grass in an equally short time."(Chinese proverbs dear to Americans, The Standard.)
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_deta ... r=20090729