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述而不作. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
述而不作, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
述而不作 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
述而不作 you have here. The definition of the word
述而不作 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
述而不作, 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 state; to tell; to narrate to state; to tell; to narrate; to relate |
and; as well as; but (not) and; as well as; but (not); yet (not); (shows causal relation); (shows change of state); (shows contrast) |
not; no
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to regard as; to take (someone) for; to do to regard as; to take (someone) for; to do; to make |
| trad. (述而不作)
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| simp. #(述而不作)
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Etymology
From the Analects, Book 7 (《論語·述而》):
子曰：「述而不作，信而好古，竊比於我老彭。」
子曰：「述而不作，信而好古，窃比于我老彭。」 - From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Zǐyuē: “Shù ér bùzuò, xìn ér hàogǔ, qiè bǐ yú wǒ Lǎopéng.”
- The Master said, "A transmitter and not a maker, believing in and loving the ancients, I venture to compare myself with the Venerable Peng."
The identity of 老彭 was unclear. According to the Elder Dai's Book of Rites (《大戴禮記》), a wise nobleman of the Shang-era bore that appellation.
Pronunciation
Idiom
述而不作
- (literary) to refrain from unwarranted innovations; to resist the temptation to speculate
Usage notes
Typically used in the context of historiography, textual criticism, classical studies, translation, etc.