During the Spring and Autumn Period, a Shi family in the State of Lu had two sons. One of them studied liberal arts and the other martial arts.
春秋时期，鲁国一户姓施的人家，有两个儿子，一个学文，一个学武。
The son who studied liberal arts went to the State of Qi to advocate his doctrines, which were well received by the Lord of Qi. The Lord appointed him Tai Fu （one of the three highest officials to teach several princes of the State of Lu.
学文的儿子用他自己的道理，打动了齐侯。齐侯任用他为太傅，负责教导几位鲁国公子。
The son who studied martial arts went to the State of Chu to tell the King of Chu his own military strategies. The King of Chu gladly asked him to stay to help administer military and political affairs.
学武的儿子到了楚国，向楚王讲述了自己的韬略，楚王高兴地请他留下来协助治理军事与政治。
The two sons of the Shi family achieved success and fame, brought honour to their ancestors, and the whole family enjoyed high position and enormous wealth.
施家二子功成名就，光宗耀祖，全家富贵。
The next-door family, the Meng family, also had two sons. They learned liberal arts and martial arts in the same way, but remained poor and frustrated.
施家的邻居孟家，也有两个儿子，也一样都练过文，习过武，但是一直穷愁潦倒。
The Meng family was envious of the Shi family’s achievements, and visited them to ask about the ways of winning promotion and getting rich. The two sons of the Shi family told the Meng family their experiences as they were.
孟家很羡慕施家的成就，就登门请教升官发财的方法。施家的两个儿子把经历如实地告诉了孟家。
Thereupon, the son of the Meng family who studied liberal arts went to the State of Qin to advocate "benevolence and righteousness". At this, the King of Qin was very displeased. He said: