Bo Le taught two men how to identify kicking horses. They went together to Zhao Jianzi’s stable to examine horses. One man picked out a horse supposed to kick; the other stroked its hindquarters from behind and patted its rump three times, yet the horse never kicked. The first man thought he had failed at horse judging.
His companion said: “You made no mistake in your judgment. This horse has a sprained shoulder and swollen knees. A kicking horse lifts its hind legs while bearing weight on front legs, but swollen knees cannot support its body, so it cannot raise rear legs. You excel at spotting kicking horses yet fail to notice its swollen injured knees.”
Everything follows fixed causes; the injured knees disable its strength, a truth only wise people perceive. Hui Zi remarked: “Shut an ape inside a wooden cage, and it behaves no differently from a pig.” Therefore, unfavorable circumstances prevent people from displaying their talents.
Note
This text is excerpted from Han Feizi, Chapter: The Forest of Persuasions (Part II).
The tale tells that never judge things rigidly by past experience. Physical or environmental restrictions can alter inherent traits of creatures and people alike; suitable conditions are essential for realizing one’s potential.
Legalist philosopher of late Warring States Period, uses horse fable to discuss the constraint of external situation.
Bo Le
Legendary master of horse appraisal in ancient China, famous for recognizing fine steeds.
Bo Le vs. Wang Liang
Regarding whether “Bo Le” and “Wang Liang” were actually the same person, many people are confused. Historically, there are two different views.
Some sources record that Bo Le, originally named Sun Yang and styled Ziliang, was also called Wang Liang. He was a minister of Zhao Jianzi of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period. This view holds that he was skilled both in judging horses and in driving chariots.
A more widely held view is that they were two different experts. Bo Le was skilled in judging horses. He lived during the time of Duke Mu of Qin and was originally named Sun Yang. Wang Liang was skilled in driving chariots. He was the charioteer of Zhao Jianzi of Jin. For instance, Mencius considered Wang Liang to be a minister of Zhao Jianzi, skilled in driving horse-drawn chariots.
Here, Han Fei considers Bo Le to be a minister of Zhao Jianzi, skilled in judging horses.
Zhao Jianzi (Zhao Yang)
Powerful aristocrat and minister of the State of Jin with a large private stable.
Two apprentices
Students learning equine identification, one limited by fixed experience, the other good at analyzing objective physical conditions.
Hui Zi (Hui Shi)
Famous pre-Qin debater, put forward the ape-and-cage metaphor.
Traditional equine appraisal
Judging horse’s character and performance was an important professional craft in ancient China for military and breeding use.
Limitation of inherent experience
Fixed empirical rules fail when affected by accidental physical damage or external changes.
Metaphor of ape in cage
Classic ancient metaphor meaning outstanding ability cannot shine without suitable environment.
Situational determinism
One’s competence relies heavily on objective surroundings; poor circumstances restrain talent development.
伯樂教二人相踶馬，相與之簡子廄觀馬。一人舉踶馬，其一人從後而循之，三撫其尻而馬不踶，此自以為失相。其一人曰：「子非失相也。此其為馬也，踒肩而腫膝。夫踶馬也者，舉後而任前，腫膝不可任也，故後不舉。子巧於相踶馬而拙於任腫膝。」夫事有所必歸，而以有所，腫膝而不任，智者之所獨知也。惠子曰：「置猿於柙中，則與豚同。」故勢不便，非所以逞能也。
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