(43) TO GRIND A BIG STONE

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 labour. The effort being made was strenuous, yet the gain expected was trivial.
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.
A scholar should endeavour himself to serious studying to get wide and extensive knowledge. Furthermore, he has to put his learning into practice so as to obtain some fulfilment. The goal must not be the illusive fame, complacence and arrogance, which breed only sins and calamities.

43磨大石喻
譬如有人，磨一大石勤加功力，經歷日月作小戲牛，用功既重所期甚輕。
世間之人亦復如是，磨大石者喻於學問精勤勞苦，作小牛者喻於名聞互相是非。夫為學者研思精微博通多識，宜應履行遠求勝果，方求名譽憍慢貢高，增長過患。

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