Analects 20.3

Original Text:

孔子曰不知命无以为君子也不知礼无以立也不知言无以知人也

Translation:

Other Translations:

Confucius said, “One who does not understand fate lacks the means to become a gentleman. One who does not understand ritual lacks the means to take his place. One who does not understand words lacks the means to evaluate others.”

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

Confucius said, If you do not understand the will of Heaven, you will have no way to become a gentleman. If you do not understand ritual, you will have nowhere to take your stand. If you do not understand words, you will have no way to know people.

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