Guan Zhong and Xi Peng accompanied Duke Huan of Qi on a campaign against the State of Guzhu. They set out in spring and returned in winter, but got lost on the way. Guan Zhong said: “We can make use of the wisdom of old horses.” They let an old horse wander freely and followed it, and soon found the right path.
Later, they ran out of water while traveling in the mountains. Xi Peng said: “Ants dwell on the southern slopes of mountains in winter and on northern slopes in summer. If there is an ant mound one inch high, water can be found one ren beneath the ground.” They dug the earth and obtained water.
Even wise men like Guan Zhong and Xi Peng did not hesitate to learn from old horses and ants when facing what they did not know. Nowadays, people remain ignorant and refuse to learn from the wisdom of the sages. Is this not a grave mistake?
Note
This text is excerpted from Han Feizi, Chapter: The Forest of Persuasions (Part I).
It tells us that everyone has limitations. We should stay humble, draw lessons from nature, ordinary beings and predecessors, instead of being complacent and refusing to learn.
Late Warring States Legalist philosopher. He uses this story to advocate modest learning.
One of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period.
Distinguished statesman and chief minister of Qi, renowned for talent and resourcefulness.
Xi Peng
Loyal minister of Qi, wise and observant of nature.
State of Guzhu
An ancient northern vassal state, the target of Qi’s military expedition.
A famous Chinese idiom derived from this story, referring to experienced people who know well about matters.
Observing nature for practical use
Ancient people summarized life experience from the habits of animals and natural phenomena to solve practical difficulties.
Spirit of modest learning
The core idea: no one knows everything. Even great wise men should learn widely from all things and all people.
Criticism of arrogance
Han Fei condemns self-conceit and refusal to learn, regarding it as foolishness.
管仲、隰朋從於桓公而伐孤竹，春往冬反，迷惑失道，管仲曰：「老馬之智可用也。」乃放老馬而隨之，遂得道。行山中無水，隰朋曰：「蟻冬居山之陽，夏居山之陰，蟻壤一寸而仞有水。」乃掘地，遂得水。以管仲之聖，而隰朋之智，至其所不知，不難師於老馬與蟻，今人不知以其愚心而師聖人之智，不亦過乎。
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