」王曰:「吾獵將以求士也,其榛藂刺虎豹者,吾是以知其勇也;其攫犀搏兕者,吾是以知其勁有力也;罷田而分所得,吾是以知其仁也。
If Chu doesn’t scheme to conquer Chu, then Jin will assuredly scheme to conquer Chu.
But aren’t you now immersing yourself in pleasure?” “I hunt so as to obtain officers,” the king replied.
」因是道也,而得三士焉,楚國以安。
“One man charges into dense thickets and thrusts spears into tigers and leopards; that is how I know he has courage.
Another catches rhinoceroses and does battle with them barehanded; that is how I know his sinews are strong.
故曰「苟有志則無非事者」,此之謂也。」
Another distributes prey at the conclusion of the hunt; that is how I know he is fair-minded.” Relying on these principles, King Zhuang obtained three officers, and the state of Chu was made secure.
Hence it is said that, “if one has the will to accomplish something, then there is nothing that doesn’t have a purpose.” That says it well.