Book 20, Passage 20.3

The Master said, 'Without recognising the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man.

子曰：“不知命，无以为君子也；不知礼，无以立也；不知言，无以知人也。”…

All 3 passages in Book 203 of 3

3 sentences · 2 notes

子zǐ曰yuē：“不bù知zhī命mìng，无wú以yǐ为wéi君jūn子zǐ也yě；不bù知zhī礼lǐ，无wú以yǐ立lì也yě；不bù知zhī言yán，无wú以yǐ知zhī人rén也yě。”

1The Master said, 'Without recognising the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man.

2'Without an acquaintance with the rules of Propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.

3'Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men.'

Chinese commentary · 2 notes

The notes printed with this passage in Chinese editions, kept in Chinese, for readers who come to the text that way.

无以：“无所以”的省略。

知言：善于分析别人的言语，辨别其是非善恶。