Discourse on Horses - Han Yu
/马说 - 韩愈/
Revealing True Talent Through Vision and Understanding
马说
Discourse on Horses
世有伯乐，然后有千里马。
Only with the existence of Bo Le (the expert) can we have the recognition of fine steeds.
千里马常有，而伯乐不常有。
Though exceptional horses may be common, those who truly discern them are rare.
故虽有名马，只辱于奴隶人之手，骈死于槽枥之间，不以千里称也。
Thus, even when there are famous steeds, they are often mistreated by mere servants, dying side by side in the stable, never to be recognized as swift runners.
马之千里者，一食或尽粟一石；
A thousand-li horse may consume a large measure of grain in a single feeding;
食马者不知其能千里而食也，以为常马之料。
But those who feed them fail to realize its potential for covering a thousand li, treating it as though it were an ordinary horse.
是马也，虽有千里之能，食不饱，力不足，才美不外见，且欲与常马等不可得，
Even if such a horse can run a thousand li, hunger weakens it, obscuring its true abilities. Unable to show its talents, it can scarcely keep pace with ordinary horses,
安求其能千里也？
So how can one ever hope for it to perform those thousand li?
Often classified as a short essay rather than a poem, Han Yu’s “马说” (“Discourse on Horses”) uses the metaphor of the ‘thousand-li horse’ (千里马) to highlight how genuine talent can go unnoticed or be wasted when not properly recognized. Han Yu begins by declaring that remarkable horses can be found readily, but experts capable of identifying them (like the legendary horse connoisseur Bo Le) are few. Consequently, such gifted horses may languish in obscurity—undernourished and unappreciated—because their caretakers do not understand their true potential.
On a deeper level, this parable underscores that any individual’s skill, no matter how extraordinary, requires someone who can both perceive and nurture it. Failing this, a person’s worth may remain hidden or, worse, be lost entirely. In a broader societal sense, Han Yu laments that the absence of wise mentors and discerning leaders stifles talent. The text challenges readers to look beyond surface appearances—be it an unremarkable horse in a stable or a quiet student in a classroom—and to cultivate a culture that values deep understanding, respect, and support for worthy abilities.
“马说” stands as a timeless commentary on how oversight and ignorance—rather than a scarcity of gifted individuals—impede true excellence. It calls us to practice wisdom and empathy, recognizing that vision and proper guidance can unveil and empower those who have the potential to achieve great things, but who are often overlooked by the uninformed majority.
Key points
• True talent is widespread, but those capable of discerning and fostering it are uncommon.
• Neglect and misunderstanding can stifle greatness, preventing it from ever coming to light.
• Han Yu’s fable encourages us to look deeper than surface appearances and approach each individual (or situation) with informed care.
• Recognizing potential is only the first step; providing adequate support and guidance ensures that talent can fully develop.
