Zeppa Posted July 14, 2020 at 03:31 PM Report Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted July 14, 2020 at 11:41 PM Report Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted July 15, 2020 at 12:21 AM Report Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeppa Posted July 15, 2020 at 10:08 AM Author Report Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted July 15, 2020 at 10:33 AM Report Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted July 16, 2020 at 01:57 AM Report Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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