Old Man of the Frontier Loses Horse

The Bitter Withy

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Dating to the 2nd century B.C. The story exemplifies the view of Taoism regarding regarding “fortune” (“good luck”) and “misfortune” (“bad luck”).

Good luck and bad luck create each other
and it is difficult to foresee their change.
A righteous man lived near the border.
For no reason, his horse ran off into barbarian territory.
Everyone [people] felt sorry for him.
[But] His father spoke [to him]:
“Who knows if that won’t bring you good luck?”

Several months later,
his horse came back with a group of [good, noble] barbarian horses.
Everyone [people] congratulated him.
[But] His father spoke [to him]:
“Who knows if that won’t bring you bad luck?”

Now his house is rich in horses
and the son mounted with joy/loved riding.
He fell and broke his leg.
Everyone [people] felt sorry for him.

[But] His father spoke [to him]:
“Who knows if that won’t bring you good luck?”

One year later
the barbarians invaded across the border.
Adult men strung up their bows and went into battle.
Nine out of ten border residents were killed,
except for the son because of his broken leg.
Father and son were protected/both survived.
Hence: Bad luck brings good luck
and good luck brings bad luck.
This happens without end
and nobody can estimate it.

—Claude Larre et al. Les grands traités du Huainan zi, 1993, p. 208–209.

* * *

 夫禍富之 轉而相生,
其變難見也.
近塞上之人有善術者.
馬無故亡而入胡.
人皆吊之.
 其父曰:
 „此何遽不為福乎?“
 居數月,
 其馬將胡駿馬而歸.
 人皆賀之. 
 其父曰: 
 „此何遽不能為禍乎?“
 家富良馬,
 其子好騎,
 墮而折其髀.
 人皆吊之. 
 其父曰: 
 „此何遽不為福乎?“ 
 居一年, 
 胡人大入塞, 
丁壯者引弦而戰, 
 近塞之人，死者十九,
 此獨以跛之故.
 父子相保. 
 故福之為禍, 
 禍之為福. 
 化不可極
 深不可測也.

* * *

Western parallels can be found in the following probverbs. These are traditional sayings that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience.  

• A blessing in disguise
• Bad luck often brings good luck.
• Every cloud has a silver lining.
• Every ill-luck is good for something in a wise man’s hand.
• Every medal has its dark side.
• Every tide has its ebb.
• No great loss without some small gain
• It is an ill wind that blows no one good.
• Nothing is so bad in which there is not something good.

* * *

If you want to change someone’s perspective, you need to tell a better story. And if you want to make the world a better place, you need to get good at telling stories people can’t ignore.

Or, to repeat another popular proverb, “It ain’t over over until the fat lady sings.”