子曰唯上知与下愚不移
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.
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
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.
