愚不可及

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Chinese

stupid cannot; should not; must not to reach; and
trad. (愚不可及) 愚 不可 及
simp. #(愚不可及) 愚 不可 及

Etymology

From the Analects, Book 5 (《論語·公冶長》). The modern meaning is a reinterpretation.

甯武子，邦有道則知；邦無道則愚。其知可及也，其愚不可及也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
甯武子，邦有道则知；邦无道则愚。其知可及也，其愚不可及也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Nìng Wǔ Zǐ, bāng yǒudào zé zhì; bāng wúdào zé yú. Qí zhì kě jí yě, qí yú bùkě jí yě.
Lord Wu of Ning (甯武子) was wise when the state was ruled by justice. He became foolish when the state was ruled by injustice. Others may be as good a wise man as he was, but never as good a fool as he was.

Pronunciation

Idiom

愚不可及

  1. (idiomatic) very stupid; stupid beyond reach
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