Below - Confucian Pages

Other Translations:

Zigong said, “Zhow’s wickedness was really not as extreme as they say. This is why the gentleman hates to dwell in low places, because all the badness in the world gathers there.”

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

Zigong said, Zhou was not really as evil as they say. That is why the gentleman hates to be held in low esteem—all the evil in the world ends up on him.

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

Analects 14.35

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fourteen

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.