English Original
During the Spring and Autumn Period, the Shi family of Lu had two sons. One studied civil arts, the other military arts.
The civil-minded son went to Qi to advocate his doctrines. The Lord of Qi was impressed and appointed him as Tai Fu (a high-ranking official) to tutor several princes.
The military-minded son went to Chu and presented his strategies to the king. The King of Chu gladly retained him to assist in military and political affairs.
Thus, the Shi brothers achieved fame and success, bringing honor and wealth to their family.
Their neighbors, the Meng family, also had two sons who studied the same arts but remained poor and frustrated.
Envious of the Shi family's success, the Mengs asked for their secret. The Shi brothers truthfully recounted their experiences.
Consequently, the Meng's civil son went to Qin to preach "benevolence and righteousness." The King of Qin was displeased, stating, "In this age of warfare, we must focus on farming and military readiness. Your doctrines would lead us to ruin." He then had the son castrated and expelled.
The Meng's military son went to Wei and expounded on strengthening the army. The Lord of Wei was disgusted, saying, "As a small state between powers, our survival depends on diplomacy, not aggression. Your ideas are a danger." He then ordered the son's feet cut off and sent him back to Lu.
When the mutilated Meng sons returned, their father rushed with them to rebuke the Shi family.
Upon hearing their story, the Shi family sighed, "Only those who understand the times thrive. Your sons learned the same skills as ours, yet the results are entirely different."
中文翻译
春秋时期，鲁国施家有两个儿子，一个学文，一个学武。
学文的儿子前往齐国宣扬自己的学说，齐侯十分赏识，任命他为太傅，教导几位公子。
学武的儿子到了楚国，向楚王阐述自己的军事韬略，楚王欣然留他协助治理军政。
施家二子功成名就，光宗耀祖，全家富贵。
邻居孟家也有两个儿子，同样学文习武，却一直穷困潦倒。
孟家羡慕施家的成就，登门请教方法。施家二子如实相告。
于是，孟家学文的儿子跑到秦国鼓吹“仁义”。秦王非常生气，说：“当今诸侯争霸，应重农备战。用仁义治国是自取灭亡。”遂下令将其宫刑并驱逐。
孟家学武的儿子投奔卫国，大谈强兵之道。卫侯十分反感，说：“我国弱小，处大国之间，靠恭敬有礼以求安宁。兴兵动武只会速亡。放你离去蛊惑他国，更是大患。”于是下令砍其双脚，撵回鲁国。
孟家二子伤残归家，父子三人冲到施家责骂。
施家问明情况后，感慨道：“识时务者方能顺遂，反之则惨败。你儿子所学虽同，结果却与我们完全相反。”