DISCOURSES 1.16

KNOWING OTHERS 《知人》

KNOWING OTHERS
《知人》

Do not worry about others not knowing you,
worry about not knowing others.

– Kongzi 孔子

不患人之不己知,
患不知人也。

Do not worry about others not knowing you, worry about not knowing others.

– Kongzi 孔子

不患人之不己知,患不知人也。

[currently under review]

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]

– Yin Shi 尹氏


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.