Buying shoes

郑人买履

A man of the state of Zheng wanted to buy a pair of shoes. He measured his foot and put the measurement¹ on a chair. When he set out for the market he forgot to bring it along. It was after he had found the pair he wanted that this occurred² to him.

从前，郑国有个人想买双鞋。他量好了自己脚的尺码，把它放在了椅子上。可当他赶往市集时，却忘了带量好的尺码。他要买鞋时，才想了起来。

I forgot the measurement, said he.

他说："我忘带尺码了。"

He went home to get it but when he returned the market had broken up and he did not get his shoes after all.

他回家去取量好的尺码。 等他赶回来时，市集已经关了，他还是没能买到鞋。

Why didn't you try on the shoes with your feet?He was asked.

有人问："为什么不用你自己的脚去量鞋子呢？"

I 'd rather trust the measurement than trust myself. (《Hanfeizi》)

他说："我宁愿相信尺码也不相信我自己的脚。" (《韩非子》)