知之為知之,不知為不知
See also: 知之为知之,不知为不知
Chinese edit
to know; to be aware | 's; him/her/it; this | because of; for; to because of; for; to; act as; take...to be; to be; to do; to serve as; to become |
to know; to be aware | 's; him/her/it; this | not; no | to know; to be aware | because of; for; to because of; for; to; act as; take...to be; to be; to do; to serve as; to become |
not; no | to know; to be aware | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
trad. (知之為知之,不知為不知) | 知 | 之 | 為 | 知 | 之 | , | 不 | 知 | 為 | 不 | 知 | |
simp. (知之为知之,不知为不知) | 知 | 之 | 为 | 知 | 之 | , | 不 | 知 | 为 | 不 | 知 |
Etymology edit
From the Analects, Book 2 (《論語·爲政》):
- 子曰:「由!誨女知之乎?知之為知之,不知為不知,是知也。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
- From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Zǐyuē: “Yóu! Huì rǔ zhì zhī hū? Zhī zhī wèi zhī zhī, bùzhī wèi bùzhī, shì zhì yě.” [Pinyin]
- The Master said, "You, shall I teach you what knowledge is? When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge."
子曰:「由!诲女知之乎?知之为知之,不知为不知,是知也。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Pronunciation edit
Proverb edit
知之為知之,不知為不知
- You either know it or you don't (don't pretend to know it if you don't).