Analects 9.22
Original Text:
子曰苗而不秀者有矣夫秀而不实者有矣夫
Translation:
Other Translations:
The Master said, “Surely there are some sprouts that fail to flower, just as surely as there are some flowers that fail to bear fruit!”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, There are seedlings that never grow to maturity, are there not? And mature plants that never bear fruit.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.