論 語 Lun Yu – The Analects of Confucius

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’

原文 385

Condemnation of Confucius's course in seeking to be employed, by one who had withdrawn from public life.
Tsze-lû happening to pass the night in Shih-man, the gatekeeper said to him, "Whom do you come from?" Tsze-lû said, "From Mr. K'ung." "It is he, – is it not?" – said the other, "who knows the impracticable nature of the times and yet will be doing in them."

Legge XIV.41.

Tzu-lu put up for the night at the Stone Gate. The gatekeeper said, 'Where have you come from?' Tzu-lu said, 'From the K'ung family.' 'Is that the K'ung who keeps working towards a goal the realization of which he knows to be hopeless?'

Lau [14:38]

Tzeu lou passa une nuit à la Porte de Pierre. Le gardien de la porte lui dit : « D'où venez-vous ? – De l'école de Confucius », répondit Tzeu lou. « C'est, reprit le gardien, un homme qui s'applique à faire une chose qu'il sait être impossible1. »

Couvreur XIV.41.