Confucian Analects · Analects 5.20
The Master said, 'When good order prevailed in his country, Ning Wu acted the part of a wise man. When his country was in disorder, he acted the part of a stupid man. Others may equal his wisdom, but they cannot equal his stupidity.'
Chinese · source text【二十章】子曰、甯武子、邦有道、則知、邦無道、則愚、其知可及也、其愚不可及也。
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Confucius · English translation by James Legge · bilingual transcription
James Legge, The Chinese Classics, Volume 1: Confucian Analects · Project Gutenberg #4094
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