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.
梁惠王看厄丁解牛,手起刀落,动作利索,恰到好处。
The King praised: “Your skill is excellent!”
连声夸奖说:“你的技术真是太好了!”
The cook answered: "1 can do it so dexterously because I am familiar with the physiological structure of the ox.
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。
I see perfectly well each and every part of the ox which is no longer a whole ox to me.
现在,我看到的牛已经不是一头全牛了。
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."
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。”
The cook continued:
厄丁接着说:
"The knives of others become blunt after being used for a short time,
“别人的牛刀,用不了多久就会钝掉,
whereas I have used my knife for 19 years and slaughtered nearly 1,000 oxen, and it is still as sharp as anew one.
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。
However, when I come across a complicated structure, I would be cautious and conscientious and dare not be the least negligent.
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。
I cut swiftly but lightly with great concentration and care.
动作很快,下刀却很轻,聚精会神,小L}翼翼。”
After hearing this, King Hui of Liang said:
梁惠王听后说:
"What you said is wonderful!From you I have learned the way of cultivating my mind and developing my character."
“你说得好极了!我从你这里悟到了修身养性的道理。”