儒家: 《論語》 (公元前480年 – 公元前350年)

“The Analects of Confucius“ (480-350 BC) English translations by James Legge, or Leonard A. Lyall.

《論語》《述而》7.20 :

子曰：「我非生而知之者。好古，敏以求之者也。」

The Master said, “I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity [ancient culture], and earnest in seeking it there.”

【Alternative translation】The Master said, “I was not born to wisdom: I loved the past, and sought it earnestly there.”

【現代漢語翻譯】孔子說：「我不是天生就有學問的，衹是個喜歡讀書、勤奮敏捷地追求知識的人。」

【试译】孔子说：“我不是生来就懂的人，而是喜好古代文化又勤奋学习的人。”