馬蹄

Horses' hooves can tread on frost and snow; their coats can withstand wind and cold. They crop grass, drink water, and prance with raised hooves — this is the true nature of horses. They have no use for grand terraces and luxurious chambers. Then along came Bo Le, who said: 'I am good at managing horses.' He branded them, clipped them, pared their hooves, haltered them, hobbled them, penned them in stalls — and two or three out of every ten horses died!

I believe those who are good at governing the world would not do this. The people have a constant nature: they weave and clothe themselves, they till and feed themselves — this is called their common virtue. They are united without being partisan — this is called Heaven's Freedom. In the age of perfect virtue, people walked with steady steps and gazed with tranquil eyes. In those times, there were no paths through the mountains, no boats or bridges on the marshes. All things lived in communities, side by side. Birds and beasts formed their flocks, grasses and trees grew to fullness.