"三十而立 四十不惑 五十而知天命 六十而耳順 七十而從心欲"
--《论语》
The Analects of Confucius
Confucius's own account of his gradual progress and attainments.
1. "理译" (James Legge):
The Master said: "At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning.
At thirty, I stood firm.
At forty, I had no doubts.
At fifty, I know the decrees of Heaven.
At sixty, my ear was an obedient organ for the reception of truth.
At seventy, I could follow what my heart desired, without transgressing what was right."
2. "威译" (Arthur Waley):
The Master said, At fifteen I set my heart upon learning.
At thirty, I had planted my feet firm upon the ground.
At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities.
At fifty, I knew what were the biddings of Heaven.
At sixty, I heard them with docile ear.
At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of right.