Above

Original Text:

子曰莫我知也夫子贡曰何为其莫知子也子曰不怨天不尤人下学而上达知我者其天乎

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master sighed, “Alas! No one understands me.”

Zigong replied, “How can you say that no one understands you, Master?”

“I am not bitter toward Heaven, nor do I blame others. I study what is below in order to comprehend what is above. If there is anyone who could understand me, perhaps it is Heaven.”

Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, No one understands me—isn’t that so?

Zigong said, Why do you suppose that no one understands you?

The Master said, I bear no grudge against Heaven; I do not blame others. I study affairs close at hand and try to become adept in higher matters. Perhaps it is Heaven that understands me!

Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.