Stupid

Analects 17.16

Original Text:

子曰古者民有三疾今也或是之亡也古之狂也肆今之狂也荡古之矜也廉今之矜也忿戾古之愚也直今之愚也诈而已矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “In ancient times, people had three type of faults, which have perhaps since disappeared. In ancient times, those who were wild were at least forthright; nowadays, they are simply deviant. In ancient times, those who were proud were at least principled; nowadays, they are simply belligerent and easily provoked. In ancient times, those who were stupid were at least upright; nowadays, they are simply devious.”

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

The Master said, In former times the common people had three weaknesses, but now even these seem to have largely disappeared. Assertive persons in the past were reckless; now they are downright overbearing. Firm-minded persons in the past were prudish; now they are testy and belligerent. Stupid persons in the past were at least upright; now all they do is try to deceive others.

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

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 11.18

Original Text:

柴也愚参也鲁师也辟由也喭

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zigao is simple-minded, Master Zeng is dull, Zizhang is prone to excess, and Zilu is wildly fierce.

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

——said, Chai (Zigao) is stupid; Shen (Zeng Shen) is dull; Shi is erratic; You is unruly.

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

Analects 5.21

Original Text:

子曰宁武子邦有道则知邦无道则愚其知可及也其愚不可及也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “When the Way was being practiced in his state, Ning Wuzi was wise, but when the Way was not being practiced, he was stupid. His wisdom can be equaled, but no one can equal his stupidity.”

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

The Master said, In the case of Ning Wu Zi, when the Way prevailed in the state, he was wise. When the Way did not prevail in the state, he was stupid. His wisdom can be equaled, but not his stupidity.

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