An old Chinese farmer lost his best stallion one day.
His neighbor came around to express his regrets, but the farmer just said, “Who knows what is good and what is bad.”
The next day, the stallion returned, bringing with him three wild mares.
So, the neighbor rushed back to celebrate with the farmer, but the old farmer simply said, “Who knows what is good and what is bad.”
The following day, the farmer’s son fell from one of the wild mares while trying to break her in, broke his arm, and injured his leg.
So, the neighbor came by to check on the son and give his condolences, but the old farmer just said, “Who knows what is good and what is bad.”
The next day, the army came to the farm to conscript the farmer’s son for the war but found him invalid and left him with his father.
And so, the neighbor thought to himself, “Who knows what is good and what is bad.”
This wonderful Taoist parable1 illustrates an important lesson:
There’s no point in judging the events of your life as positive or negative.
It’s impossible to know what they will lead to next.
So, continually repeat the mantra, “Who knows what is good and what is bad.”
That way, you can let go of what might be and embrace what is.
Footnote
- I first heard this parable in episode 3 of The Secular Buddhism Podcast by Noah Rasheta.