A Butcher's Knife
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King Hui of Liang was watching his chef cutting up the carcass of an ox. As the chef slid his knife in and out of the ox’s body, his shoulders, feet and knees moved in harmony with his hands. The knife was dancing and the sound of ripping the hide and slicing the flesh were making a kind of music.
The king was marveled. “How did you acquire such skill?”
“I’m interested in learning how things work,” the chef replied, “not just mastering the techniques. When I first worked on an ox, I saw nothing but its body. After three years, I no longer saw it that way. I understood its components and structure. Now I use my mind more than my eyes. My knife follows the anatomy of the ox and makes its way through the cavities and crevices inside the body. I avoid the tendons and ligaments, to say nothing of the bones.
“A good chef has to replace his knife every year. He cleaves with it. A so-so chef needs a new knife every month. He chops with it. I’ve been using my knife for nineteen years and have carved thousands of oxen. But it is as good as a new one.
“I look for spaces between the joints and bones where the thin blade of my knife can move about freely. If I come upon a hard joint, I’ll proceed with caution. I’ll slow down and apply my knife gently along the natural lines of the body. When the carcass comes apart, dropping to the floor like soft mud, I’ll heave a sigh of relief. I’ll feel a sense of satisfaction. I always take good care of my knife.”
“Excellent!” the king was impressed. “You’ve taught me something about life.”
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Chuangtzu's Grief
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The Woman In The Picture
Wise Proverbs
- Butchering an ox. (It is used to describe an elegant and well-practical skill.)
- 庖丁解牛。（形容技术精良、技艺纯熟。）
- Without experience we will not gain full knowledge.
- 实践出真知。
- Follow nature's law, and enjoy a long, healthy life.
- 遵循自然规律，活得长久健康。
Editor Says:
This is a well-known fable told by Chuangtzu. The knife had a long, useful life because its user followed nature's law—the anatomy of the ox. If we follow nature’s law in what we do, we, too, should enjoy a long, healthy life.