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》《季氏》16.9 :
孔子曰:「生而知之者,上也;學而知之者,次也;困而學之,又其次也;困而不學,民斯為下矣。」[參考:《論語》《述而》 7.20 — 子曰:「我非生而知之者,好古,敏以求之者也。」]
Confucius said, “Those who are born with the possession of knowledge are the highest class of men. Those who learn, and so, readily, get possession of knowledge, are the next. Those who are dull and stupid, and yet compass the learning, are another class next to these. As to those who are dull and stupid and yet do not learn – they are the lowest of the people.” [Relate to: 《論語》《述而》 7.20 — The Master said, “I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.”]
【Alternative translation】Confucius said, “The best men are born wise. Next come those that grow wise by learning; then those that learn from toil. Those that do not learn from toil are the lowest of the people.”
【現代漢語翻譯】孔子說:「生來就知道的,是上等人;學習後才知道的,是二等人;遇到困難才學習的,是三等人;遇到困難也不學習的,這就是下等人了。」
【原文】孔子曰:「生而知之者,上也;学而知之者,次也;困而学之,又其次也;困而不学,民斯为下矣!」
【白话解】孔子说:「天生就知道,不学而能者,是最上等的;学习之后才知道的,是次等的;经过困难艰苦才知道要学习的,又次一等了;如果经过困难艰苦之后,还不知道要学习,这种人是最下等了。」
【试译】孔子说:“天生就知道的,属于上等;学了才知道的,次一等;遇到困难才学习,又次一等;遇到困难还是不学,这种人就等而下之了。”