English Original
A beadle garrisoning the frontier of Changwu said to Confucius's student, Zi Lao: "When I grew crops in the past, I was repaid with a poor harvest because I ploughed the field absent-mindedly and hoed the weeds carelessly, allowing the weeds to grow higher than the crops. Afterwards, I ploughed diligently and hoed with extra care, leaving the field thoroughly tilled. As a result, the crops grew extraordinarily well, and I was rewarded with an improved harvest, gaining ample food and clothing. If you deal with government affairs as assiduously as I ploughed the field, your success is guaranteed."
中文翻译
驻守在长梧边疆的一名小吏对孔子的弟子子牢说："我过去种庄稼时，因为耕地漫不经心、除草马虎，导致杂草长得比庄稼还高，所以收成很差。后来，我勤恳耕地、仔细除草，把田地打理得十分精细。结果，庄稼长得格外好，收成大有提高，我也过上了丰衣足食的生活。如果你处理政务也能像我耕地这般勤勉，你的成功必定有保障。"