A person needs a face; a tree needs bark.

解释 ( paraphrase )
人活着需要活着有脸面有尊严，树生存是需要有树皮的保护。

This proverbs indicates that a person needs a clean reputation to survive.

脸：面子。
      Face (social custom).

同义词 ( synonym )
人活一张脸,树活一张皮。

造句 ( example )
人要脸树要皮 树皮之于树,就象人的脸之于人,同等重要。