Since his horse refused to go forward, a traveler in the state of Song drove it into a stream, then mounted to set off again. Still the horse refused to go, and he punished it once more in the same way.
This happened three times in all.
Even the most skilful rider could devise no better means of frightening a horse; but if you are not a rider, simply a bully, your horse will refuse to carry you.
宋国有一游历者的'坐骑不肯前进，他就将它赶进河里，再翻身上马持续上路，可马依然不肯听命，他又用同样的方式对马实行处分。
马一共被罚了三次，可仍是不肯就范。
这阐明：即便最好的骑手也会用恫吓的措施使马前行，但假使你不是骑手，而是歹徒，你的马就会谢绝为你服务。