English Original
One day, Duke Huan of Qi inspected the royal stables. He asked the stable master, "What is the most difficult task in managing a stable?"
Before the official could reply, Prime Minister Guan Zhong interjected, "Having once tended horses myself, I know the answer well. Building the fence is the hardest part. If you start with a bent timber, then every subsequent piece must also be bent. Any straight timber left over becomes useless. Conversely, if you begin with a straight timber, all that follow must be straight as well. Even if you run short of straight wood, you cannot substitute a bent piece."
中文翻译
一日，齐桓公视察皇家马棚。他问养马官：“管理马棚，什么事最难做？”
养马官还没来得及回答，相国管仲便接过话说道：“我曾亲自养过马，对此很清楚。搭建栅栏是最难的环节。如果你先用一根弯曲的木料，那么后面每一根也都必须是弯的。剩下的直木料就毫无用处。反之，如果你先用一根直的木料，那么后面所有的也都必须是直的。即使直的木头不够用了，也不能用弯曲的来凑数。”