The Horned Bow

Preface to "Horn Bow": "Horn Bow" is a poem by which elder brothers and fathers satirize King You of Zhou. King You of Zhou did not draw close to his nine-clan relatives but instead favored slanderous flatterers, causing discord among his own flesh and blood. Therefore, this poem was composed.

The horn bow is finely adjusted, yet it turns outward. Between brothers and in-laws, do not become estranged from one another.

If you distance yourself from them, the people will follow your example. If you set a precedent, the people will imitate it.

These virtuous brothers treat each other with magnanimity and tolerance. Those unvirtuous brothers inflict harm and suffering upon one another.

If the people are not virtuous, they will harbor mutual resentment; receiving rank without yielding in humility, until calamity befalls them.

An old horse is treated as if it were a colt, without regard for the consequences to come. Just as one eats until full and drinks to take as much as possible.

Do not teach a monkey to climb a tree, for it is as easy as smearing on mud. If a nobleman possesses fine virtue, petty men will come to attach themselves to him.

When heavy snow falls in profusion, it melts upon seeing the sun. If one refuses to be humble and yielding, he instead grows more arrogant and self-important.

When heavy snow falls in abundance, it disperses upon seeing the sun. If one’s conduct is like that of the barbarians and the Mao tribes, I therefore feel deep concern.

"Horn Bow" has eight stanzas, each with four lines.