不恥下問
See also: 不耻下问
Chinese
| not; no | shame; disgrace | to ask someone who is less learned or of lesser status than oneself | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| trad. (不恥下問) | 不 | 恥 | 下問 | |
| simp. (不耻下问) | 不 | 耻 | 下问 | |
Etymology
From the Analects, Book 5 (《論語·公冶長》):
- 子貢問曰：「孔文子何以謂之文也？」子曰：「敏而好學，不恥下問，是以謂之文也。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
- From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Zǐgòng wèn yuē: “Kǒng Wén Zǐ héyǐ wèi zhī wén yě?” Zǐ yuē: “Mǐn ér hào xué, bù chǐ xiàwèn, shìyǐ wèi zhī wén yě.” [Pinyin]
- Zigong asked, saying, "On what ground did Kong Wen get that title of Wen?" The Master said, "He was of an active nature and yet fond of learning, and he was not ashamed to ask and learn of his inferiors! On these grounds he has been styled Wen."
子贡问曰：“孔文子何以谓之文也？”子曰：“敏而好学，不耻下问，是以谓之文也。” [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Pronunciation
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