What do you mean by riding a horse?

Generally speaking, it refers to being good at driving a carriage, that is, holding the reins like a ribbon, and the two horses next to the car are dancing neatly. Confucius often quoted this poem as a metaphor for governing the country. In Confucius' view, once you understand the truth of driving, you will master the way of governing the country.

There are many sayings that compare driving a carriage to running a country. For example, in the Book of History compiled by Confucius, there is a sentence that Dayu admonishes future generations: "You are disrespectful when you are in front of the people."

He particularly emphasized "respect" and thought that governing the people should be cautious, just like driving a speeding carriage with a broken rope. If you drive a horse with a rotten reins, the danger will be overwhelming. Confucius also regarded "respect" as the foundation of politics, so he also said that "love and respect are the foundation of politics."

Extended data

In the original poem, "dancing like two horses in a group" describes the posture of driving. Generally, there are four horses, and the reins of the four horses are always held together in their hands, just like the warps when using ribbons or webbing. The horses on both sides are in harmony with each other, as neat as dancing. Just like a horse acting according to the driver's consciousness, it is simply superb.

This is just the driving of Liang and Zhao Fu in Huainan Ming. "When you get on the bus, the horses are neat and harmonious, they are all in tune, and they are relaxed and harmonious, so they can work hard. If you move forward, if you gallop, if you whip around, if you go around."

If the country reaches a certain level and knows how to govern the country, it will be completely handy to drive. So Confucius paid special attention to this poem. In Confucius' Family Language: Good Life, Confucius said, "For this poet, he knows politics!" Confucius said in Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals: "If you judge this statement, it will be the world."