men may meet but mountains never
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used to suggest that there are inherent boundaries or limitations that prevent certain things from happening
The origin of the proverb "men may meet but mountains never" can be traced to ancient Chinese philosophy, particularly to the writings of Confucius and other classical sources. This proverb suggests that some things are simply beyond human influence and cannot be altered, no matter how much effort is made. It serves as a reminder that not everything is possible, and certain limitations are unavoidable.
- Trying to explain why the two companies could not merge, the CEO told the board that men may meet but mountains never, referring to the significant cultural and organizational differences that would make integration extremely challenging.