Chinese Fable Story Bilingual Edition Issue 13: Pao Ding Jie Niu

2015-06-02 「 1376 words / 3 minute 」
Chinese Fable Story Bilingual Edition Issue 13: Pao Ding Jie Niu.jpg
story
梁惠王看厄丁解牛,手起刀落,动作利索,恰到好处。
King Hui of Liang watched the cook dissecting an ox. Up went his hand, down went the knife, cutting it just right with dexterous movements.
连声夸奖说:“你的技术真是太好了!”
The King praised: “Your skill is excellent!”
厄丁答道: “我所以能干得这样利索,是因为熟悉牛的生理结构。
The cook answered: "1 can do it so dexterously because I am familiar with the physiological structure of the ox.
现在,我看到的牛已经不是一头全牛了。
I see perfectly well each and every part of the ox which is no longer a whole ox to me.
哪里是关节?哪里有经络?从哪里下刀?需要用多大的力气?我胸中有数,眼前清清楚楚。”
I have a clear mental picture of where its joints and main and collateral channels are, and know exactly where to start cutting and how much force is needed."
厄丁接着说:
The cook continued:
“别人的牛刀,用不了多久就会钝掉,
"The knives of others become blunt after being used for a short time,
而我这把刀已经用了十九年,宰了上千头牛,但是还同新刀一样锋利。
whereas I have used my knife for 19 years and slaughtered nearly 1,000 oxen, and it is still as sharp as anew one.
不过,如果碰到错综复杂的结构,我还是兢兢业业,丝毫不敢怠慢。
However, when I come across a complicated structure, I would be cautious and conscientious and dare not be the least negligent.
动作很快,下刀却很轻,聚精会神,小L}翼翼。”
I cut swiftly but lightly with great concentration and care.
梁惠王听后说:
After hearing this, King Hui of Liang said:
“你说得好极了!我从你这里悟到了修身养性的道理。”
"What you said is wonderful!From you I have learned the way of cultivating my mind and developing my character."