譯文:宋國有一個趕路的人,他的馬不肯前進,(他)就殺死(一匹馬),并把尸體投入溪水。接著(他)又繼續(xù)趕路,他的馬還是不肯前進,他又殺死一匹馬,并把尸體投到溪水里去。像這樣的情況發(fā)生了多次,即使是造父用來對馬樹立威嚴(yán)的辦法,也不過如此了。沒有掌握造父馭馬的方法,而只是學(xué)到了造父的威嚴(yán),這對于駕馭馬是沒有益處的。強調(diào)君主用民要有威嚴(yán),但也不能濫施淫威,要恰到好處,掌握好分寸。
《古代寓言·趕馬》
宋人有取道者,其馬不進,倒而投之溪水,又得取道,其馬不進,又倒而投之溪水,如此者三。
雖造父之所以威馬,不過此矣,不得造父之道,而徒得其威;無益于御。
——《呂氏春秋》
Pushing the Horse
Because his horse refused to advance, a traveler in the state of Song drove it into a stream, then mounted to set off again. Still the horse refused to go, and he punished it once more in the same way. This happened three times in all. Even the most skillful rider could devise no better means of frightening a horse; but if you are not a rider, simply a bully, your horse refuse to carry you.
The Discourses of Lü Buwei