English Original
When autumn arrived, the waters of all rivers rose and flowed into the Yellow River. Its surface widened immensely, making it impossible to see the cattle and sheep on the opposite bank from one side. The river deity, Hebo, swelled with pride and considered himself the greatest in the world.
Hebo followed the Yellow River to the North Sea. Gazing eastward, he could not see its bounds. Looking at himself, he felt tiny and insignificant. He sighed and said to Hairuo, the deity of the North Sea, "As the saying goes, 'A person with a little knowledge tends to think himself the wisest under heaven.' I am just such a person. Seeing your vastness and greatness today, I realize my own insignificance and ignorance. Had I not met you, I fear I would always be laughed at by the knowledgeable."
Hairuo replied, "We cannot discuss the sea with a frog at the bottom of a well, for it is confined by its dwelling. We cannot talk of ice with a summer insect, for it is bound by the seasons. We cannot speak of profound learning with a shallow person, for their knowledge is too limited. Now you have left your small river for the North Sea, witnessed its greatness, and recognized your own smallness. With this newfound humility, I can now discuss profound learning with you."
中文翻译
秋天来临，百川水涨，汇入黄河。河面顿时变得无比宽阔，从河岸的一边已望不见对岸的牛羊。黄河的河神河伯因此得意洋洋，自以为是天下最伟大的了。
河伯顺着黄河来到北海。他向东望去，看不见大海的边际。再看看自己，他感到自己如此渺小。他叹了口气，对北海之神海若说：“俗话说，‘懂得一点道理就以为天下无人能及’。我正是这样的人。今天看到您如此广阔、如此伟大，我才意识到自己的渺小与无知。如果今天没有遇见您，我恐怕会永远被有识之士讥笑。”
海若答道：“无法与井底之蛙谈论大海，因为它受限于居所；无法与夏虫谈论冰雪，因为它受制于时令；无法与浅薄之人谈论高深学问，因为他们的见识太有限。如今你从小河来到北海，见识了它的浩瀚，认识到了自身的渺小。既然你已抱有如此谦逊的态度，我便可以与你探讨高深的学问了。”