Foolish

Analects 17.3

Original Text:

子曰唯上知与下愚不移

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Only the very wise and the very stupid do not change.”

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

The Master said, Only the highest among the wise and the lowest among the stupid never change.

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

Analects 2.9

Original Text:

子曰吾与回言终日不违如愚退而省其私亦足以发回也不愚

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “I can talk all day long with Yan Hui without him once disagreeing with me. In this way, he seems a bit stupid. And yet when we retire and I observe his private behavior, I see that it is in fact worthy to serve as an illustration of what I have taught. Hui is not stupid at all.”

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

The Master said, I talk a whole day with Hui, and he never disagrees with me, as though he were stupid. But later, when I examine his private conduct, I see that it fully exemplifies my ideas. No, Hui is not stupid.

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