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ZHU XI’S COLLECTED COMMENTARIES

[currently under review]

Yin Shi said: A gentleman seeks to improve himself, therefore he does not worry about others not knowing him. If one does not know others, they may not be able to distinguish right from wrong or just from unjust, and that is the cause for concern. [AI summary]

This verse relates to verse 12.1: "Overcome the self, return to social customs, do humanity. In enacting humanity, rely on oneself, or rely on others to start?" Society is relational, with social customs between persons. If you do not start and know others, when will it start and who will know you?

In the Chinese syntax, it uses a possessive (之 's), as in “Do not worry about others’ not oneself knowing.” This is indeed better, as it clearly places the "not knowing me" as a possession of others. However, this is awkward in English.