In his famous essay On Horses, Tang Dynasty scholar Han Yu wrote: “Fine horses are common, but those who can recognize them are rare.” Although the line appears to describe horses, it has long been understood as a metaphor for people. Talented individuals may be plentiful, yet those who are truly recognized and valued are few. Throughout history, many capable people have gone unappreciated, not because they lacked ability, but because no discerning eye ever noticed them.
This idea echoes a long-standing folk saying: “Judge a person by four aspects, and wealth or hardship will not be forgotten; judge a horse by four hooves, and you will know whether it is a fine steed.” In traditional thought, outward appearance was believed to reflect far more than surface beauty. By closely observing a person’s physical traits, people hoped to gain insight into health, character, resilience, and life circumstances — including whether someone was likely to experience stability and prosperity or struggle through hardship.
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