Allow me to rephrase:
If you rely on your training or method (exemplification) without thought or feeling/value (forgetting the why/point), you are just going through the motions by rote—mere dust and ashes, a valley of dry bones.
This^ is that against which this> speaks: “I desire mercy (compassion… with feeling… not to be confused with coquettish ethics), and not sacrifice (mere ritual) (morose ethics).”
Does the example create…or demonstrate…the point?
You have entered the twilight zone.
No going back now.