---
title: who knows what is good and what is bad?
description: a taoist parable about perception and good vs bad
tags: philosophy, short story
breaks: false
---

Who Knows What is Good and What is Bad?
---

When an old farmer’s stallion wins a prize at a country show, his neighbor calls
round to congratulate him, but the old farmer says, *“Who knows what is good and
what is bad?”*

The next day some thieves come and steal his valuable animal. His neighbor
comes to commiserate with him, but the old man replies, *“Who knows what is good
and what is bad?”*

A few days later the spirited stallion escapes from the thieves and joins a herd
of wild mares, leading them back to the farm. The neighbor calls to share the
farmer’s joy, but the farmer says, *“Who knows what is good and what is bad?”*

The following day, while trying to break in one of the mares, the farmer’s son
is thrown and fractures his leg. The neighbor calls to share the farmer’s
sorrow, but the old man’s attitude remains the same as before.

The following week the army passes by, forcibly conscripting soldiers for war.
They take the neighbor's son, but they do not take the farmer’s son because he
cannot walk. The neighbor thinks to himself, *“Who knows what is good and what
is bad?”*

{%hackmd @shitchell/dark-theme %}