The Translation of Mozi Ploughing Pillars

Mozi was angry with his protégé, Ploughing the Pillar, and Ploughing the Pillar said, "Am I not superior to others? Mozi asked

If I were to go up to the Taihang Mountains and drive with a good horse or an ox, which one would you drive? The ploughman replied, "Then of course I will use a good horse."

Mozi asked, "Why do you want to drive a good horse and not an ox?" The ploughing pillar said:

Because a good horse deserves to be spurred. Mozi said, "I also think that you are responsible enough, so I am angry with you (criticizing you)."

The ploughing pillar suddenly realized.

This ancient text writes about Mozi's criticism of his protégé Ploughing Zhuzi. The ploughing pillar was proud and complacent, thinking that there was still a place to surpass others, Mozi used the comparison between a horse and an ox to warn the ploughing pillar that it was precisely because the horse had the ability to go up the Taihang Mountain, so it was necessary to ride the horse. In this way, students are encouraged to make continuous progress and be able to take responsibility.

Mozi was angry with the ploughing pillar, and the ploughing pillar said, "Am I not in a place where I am superior to others?" Mozi asked

If I were to go up to the Taihang Mountains and drive with a good horse or an ox, what would you be prepared to drive? The ploughman replied, "Then of course I will use a good horse."

Mozi asked, "Why do you want a good horse?" The ploughing pillar said:

Because good horses can be responsible. Mozi said, "I also think you are responsible."

Reason: It is compared to a quick horse and a whip, and it adopts the form of dialogue, which explains the truth that can be done but has not yet done its best to spur it on, so that it can redouble its efforts in order to achieve greater results.

Teachers criticize students for the sake of their progress; Criticism is useless for those who refuse to move forward in their resolutions, so there is no need to blame. Mozi was angry at (his protégé) ploughing the pillars.

The ploughing pillar said, "Am I not better than others? Mozi said

Suppose) I want to go up to the Taihang Mountains and drive with a good horse or an ox, do you want to spur the horse or the ox? The ploughman said, "Of course I will spur the horse."

Mozi said, "Why spur a good horse and not an ox?" The ploughing pillar said:

A good horse is worth a spur. Mozi said, "I also think you are worthy of encouragement, which is why I am angry with (you)."

The ploughing pillar has come to his senses.

The linguistic charm of "Mozi Angrily Ploughing the Pillar".

Mozi's language is unpretentious, sometimes even flat and straightforward, with little literary brilliance, and he does not like to tell fables like Zhuangzi, but his words are very logical.

He believes that "the literary style is too good", but it will make the listener "obsessed with the words and lose the reason", which is not conducive to his own expression and dissemination. This article reflects Mozi's straightforward way of speaking, which also reflects that Mozi is a person who is upright, honest and straightforward.