Punishing the horse 罚马

Since his horse refused to go forward, 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 skilful¹ rider could devise no better means of frightening a horse; but if you are not a rider, simply a bully², your horse will refuse to carry you.

 

宋国有一游历者的坐骑不肯前进，他就将它赶进河里，再翻身上马继续上路，可马仍然不肯听命，他又用同样的方法对马实施惩罚。

 

马一共被罚了三次，可还是不肯就范。这说明：即使最好的骑手也会用恐吓的办法使马前行，但倘若你不是骑手，而是暴徒，你的马就会拒绝为你效劳。

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