Original Text:
子曰盖有不知而作之者我无是也多闻择其善者而从之多见而识之知之次也
Translation:
Other Translations:
The Master said, “No doubt there are those who try to innovate without acquiring knowledge, but this is a fault that I do not possess. I listen widely, and then pick out that which is excellent in order to follow it; I see many things, and then remember them. This constitutes a second-best sort of knowledge.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, There are those who do not have knowledge and yet make things. I’m not that way. I hear much, choose what is good and follow it, see much and keep it in mind. This is the next best thing to knowledge.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.