Let the Skilled Practice Their Learning
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
孟子见齐宣王,曰:‘为巨室,则必使工师求大木。工师得大木,则王喜,以为能胜其任也。匠人斫而小之,则王怒,以为不胜其任矣。’
English translation
Mencius told King Xuan of Qi, ‘To build a great hall, you send the master craftsman to find large timber. When he finds it, you are pleased that he is equal to the task. If another craftsman cuts it down too small, you are angry that he has failed the task.’
Original Chinese text
‘夫人幼而学之,壮而欲行之,王曰:姑舍女所学而从我,则何如?’
English translation
‘Suppose someone studies a discipline from youth and seeks to put it into practice as an adult. What if you tell him, “Set aside what you have learned and follow me instead”?’
Original Chinese text
‘今有璞玉于此,虽万镒,必使玉人雕琢之。至于治国家,则曰:姑舍女所学而从我,则何以异于教玉人雕琢玉哉?’
English translation
‘If you had a piece of uncut jade worth ten thousand yi, you would entrust its carving to a jade worker. Yet when it comes to governing a state, you tell the learned person to discard his learning and obey you. How is that different from directing the jade worker in how to carve the jade?’