非不能也, 實不為也

[wai ming]

Could someone please explain to me what 非不能也, 實不為也 means, and whether it's a saying/quotation and where it comes from?

Does it mean something like "it's not the right time (to do something)"?

Thanks for any help

[againstwind]

非不能也, 實不為也

Not unable, but 'did not do' ----- Not because that we are not able to do it, but we just didn't do it.

It should come from 孟子.梁惠王上 :

“曰：‘不为者与不能者之形何以异？’曰：‘挟泰山

以超北海，语人曰：“我不能。”是诚不能也。为长者折枝，语人曰：“我不能。”

是不为也，非不能也。”

Found translation on the Net:

“Taking Mount Tai under your arm and crossing the northern sea — if you say, ‘I am unable,’ that is really being unable. Splitting wood for the elderly — if you say, ‘I am unable,’ that is not acting, it is not being unable.”