Zeppa Posted July 14, 2020 at 03:31 PM Report Posted July 14, 2020 at 03:31 PM There is a saying said to be by Confucius, 'A man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever', or similar wording. Is this really by Confucius or is it fake? Quote
Shelley Posted July 14, 2020 at 11:41 PM Report Posted July 14, 2020 at 11:41 PM There are quite a few from all over the world and times in this vein. It wouldn't surprise me if he did say something along those lines. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/184310-the-man-who-asks-a-question-is-a-fool-for "The only stupid questions are questions not asked." Quote
889 Posted July 15, 2020 at 12:21 AM Report Posted July 15, 2020 at 12:21 AM Sounds like Chop Suey Confucius to me. Maybe a bastardization of 子曰、不曰 如之何、如之何者、吾末如之何也已矣。 Quote
Zeppa Posted July 15, 2020 at 10:08 AM Author Report Posted July 15, 2020 at 10:08 AM Yes, I am aware this is all over the Web, but so are a lot of fake quotes, which is why I'm asking. Thanks for the chop Suey, 889. As far as I can make sense of your original, that would be a big leap! I got as far as "Confucius said..." Quote
889 Posted July 15, 2020 at 10:33 AM Report Posted July 15, 2020 at 10:33 AM You'll find Legge's translation here, Book XV Ch. XV, but there are many others. https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Lun_Yu/Book_15 Quote
Jim Posted July 16, 2020 at 01:57 AM Report Posted July 16, 2020 at 01:57 AM The Zhuangzi has a set of spurious conversations with Confucius so making up quotes from yer man has quite the history. Quote
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