Original Text:
孔子曰生而知之者上也学而知之者次也困而学之又其次也困而不学民斯为下矣
Translation:
Other Translations:
Confucius said, “Those who are born understanding it are the best; those who come to understand it through learning are second. Those who find it difficult to understand and yet persist in their studies come next. People who find it difficult to understand but do not even try to learn are the worst of all.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Confucius said, Those born with understanding rank highest. Those who study and gain understanding come next. Those who face difficulties and yet study—they are next. Those who face difficulties but never study—they are the lowest type of people.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.