」對曰：「為愚公之谷。
」桓公曰：「何故？
“Why is it called that?” Lord Huan asked.
」對曰：「以臣名之。
“It is named after me,” said the old man. “Judging from your features,” said Lord Huan, “I would say that you are not a foolish person—how did the valley come to be named for you?” “Allow me to explain,” said the old man. “I once had a cow that gave birth to a calf.
」桓公曰：「今視公之儀狀，非愚人也，何為以公名之？
」對曰：「臣請陳之，臣故畜牸牛，生子而大，賣之而買駒。
When the calf was grown, I sold it and purchased a colt.
少年曰：『牛不能生馬。
A young man said, ‘A cow cannot give birth to a colt,’ and took it away.
』遂持駒去。
傍鄰聞之，以臣為愚，故名此谷為愚公之谷。
When my neighbors heard of this, they thought I was stupid, so they named this place the Valley of the Foolish Gentleman.” “You are indeed stupid!” said Lord Huan. “Why did you give the colt to him?” Then he returned to the palace.
」桓公曰：「公誠愚矣！
The next morning in court, he related what had happened to Guan Zhong.
夫何為而與之？
」桓公遂歸。
Straightening the lapels of his robe and bowing twice to the floor, Guan Zhong said, “I am at fault in this.
明日朝，以告管仲，管仲正衿再拜曰：「此夷吾之過也。
If Yao were on the throne and if Gao Yao were minister of justice, how could anyone seize another person’s colt?
使堯在上，咎繇為理，安有取人之駒者乎？
若有見暴如是叟者，又必不與也，公知獄訟之不正，故與之耳。
And, if someone was taken advantage of in this manner, he certainly would not give up the colt.
請退而修政。
The old man knew that civil cases are being unjustly administered, so he gave up the colt.
」孔子曰：「弟子記之，桓公霸君也，管仲賢佐也。
猶有以智為愚者也，況不及桓公、管仲者也。」
I beg leave to withdraw and set the government to rights.” Kongzi said, “Remember this, my students: Lord Huan was an alliance chief, and Guan Zhong was a capable advisor, but it was still possible to mistake wisdom for stupidity—how much more must this be true of those inferior in ability to Lord Huan of Qi and Guan Zhong.”