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知其不可而為. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
知其不可而為, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
知其不可而為 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
知其不可而為 you have here. The definition of the word
知其不可而為 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
知其不可而為, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
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to know; to be aware
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his; her; its his; her; its; theirs; that; such; it (refers to sth preceding it)
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cannot; should not; must not
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and; as well as; but (not) and; as well as; but (not); yet (not); (shows causal relation); (shows change of state); (shows contrast)
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because of; for; to because of; for; to; act as; take...to be; to be; to do; to serve as; to become
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| trad. (知其不可而為/知其不可而爲)
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知
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其
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不可
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而
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為/爲
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| simp. (知其不可而为)
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知
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其
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不可
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而
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为
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Etymology
From the Analects, Book 14 (《論語·憲問》):
子路宿於石門。晨門曰：「奚自？」子路曰：「自孔氏。」曰：「是知其不可而為之者與？」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
子路宿于石门。晨门曰：「奚自？」子路曰：「自孔氏。」曰：「是知其不可而为之者与？」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]- From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Zǐlù sù yú Shímén. Chén mén yuē: “Xī zì?” Zǐlù yuē: “Zì Kǒng shì.” Yuē: “Shì zhī qí bùkě ér wéi zhī zhě yú?”
- Zilu happening to pass the night in Shi Men, the gatekeeper said to him, "Whom do you come from?" Zi Lu said, "From Mr. Kong." "It is he, is it not?" said the other, "who knows the impracticable nature of the times and yet will be doing in them."
Pronunciation
Idiom
知其不可而為
- to (stubbornly) do something even though you know it is impossible; to understand the difficulty of a feat but to attempt it anyway because it is the right thing to do (e.g. strive to eliminate world hunger)
Synonyms