百喻经之四三: 磨大石喻

(43) TO GRIND A BIG STONE

譬如有人，磨一大石，勤加功力，经历日月，作小戏牛。用功既重，所期甚轻。

Once there was a man who ground a big stone with great effort. He made a small toy bull out of it after days and months of labor. The effort being made was strenuous, yet the gain expected was trivial.

世间之人，亦复如是。磨大石者，喻于学问，精勤劳苦;作小牛者，喻于名闻，互相是非。

So are the people from all walks of life. Grinding a stone refers to learning seriously and diligently. To make a small toy bull applies 'to the illusive fame and the inducement of the mutual criticism.

夫为学者，研思精微，博通多识，宜应履行，远求胜果。方求名誉，骄慢贡高，增长过患。

A scholar should endeavor himself to serious studying to get wide and extensive knowledge. Furthermore, he has to put his learning into practice so as to obtain some fulfillment. The goal must not be the illusive fame, complacence and arrogance, which breed only sins and calamities.

白话：

譬如有人磨治一块大石头，花费许多气力，历经漫长岁月，磨成一只玩具小牛。用去的功夫极大，期望的目标轻微。

世上的人也是这样。磨治大石块，譬喻做学问，精勤劳苦;做成小牛，譬喻为了名望，互相攻讦。做学问么，研究思索精微的玄理，广泛通晓种种知识，理应步步实践，去求得那遥远但究竟圆满的殊胜之果。一旦为了求名誉，骄傲自大，就会增长过患。

这故事比喻∶人们精劳勤苦地修学，应该志求高胜的道果，如果只是为求一些闻名闲利，那用力多而收获少，或者得不偿失，反而增长过患了。

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