法苑珠林 45.40

45.40

又百喻經云。譬如有人磨一大石勤加功力。經歷日月。作小戲牛。用功既重所期甚輕。世間之人亦復如是。磨大石者喻於學問精勤勞苦。作小牛者喻於名聞互相是非。夫為學者。研思精微博通多識。宜應履行遠求勝果。方求名譽憍慢貢高增長過患。

Furthermore, the Sūtra of a Hundred Parables says: For example, suppose a man grinds a large stone, diligently exerting effort, passing through months and days, only to make a small toy ox. His exertion of effort was heavy, but what he aimed for was trifling. People of the world are also like this: grinding the large stone is a metaphor for studying and inquiring with diligent and painful labor; making the small ox is a metaphor for seeking fame and disputing right and wrong with one another. Those who pursue learning should deliberate with precision and subtlety, attaining broad understanding and vast knowledge; they ought to put it into practice and seek superior fruits from afar. If they merely seek reputation, arrogance, and haughtiness, their faults and troubles will only increase.