Confucian Analects · Analects 20.3
1. The Master said, 'Without recognising the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man. 2. 'Without an acquaintance with the rules of Propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established. 3. 'Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men.'
Chinese · source text【第三章】【一節】子曰、不知命、無以為君子也。【二節】不知禮、無以立也。【三節】不知言、無以知人也。
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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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