不耻下问 — “Not ashamed to ask inferiors”

Confucius, a great thinker, politician, educator, and the founder of Confucianism during the Spring and Autumn period, was revered as a sage. However, Confucius believed that no one, including himself, was born with knowledge.

Once, when Confucius attended an ancestral ceremony at the ancestral temple of the Duke of Lu, he constantly asked questions, inquiring about almost everything. Some people mocked him behind his back, saying he didn't understand ritual etiquette and had to ask about everything. Upon hearing these comments, Confucius said, "To ask clearly about things one doesn't understand is precisely how I demonstrate my understanding of etiquette."

During that time, there was an official in the State of Wei named Kong Yu, who was humble, eager to learn, and upright. It was a custom then to bestow a posthumous title (shìhào) upon supreme rulers or other prominent figures after their death. Following this custom, after Kong Yu's death, he was granted the posthumous title 'Wen' (文), and thus he was later known as Kong Wenzi.

Confucius's disciple, Zigong, was somewhat perplexed. He felt that Kong Yu also had his shortcomings. So he went to ask Confucius, "Teacher, on what grounds was Kong Wenzi entitled to be called 'Wen'?" Confucius replied, "He was quick-witted and fond of learning, not ashamed to ask questions of those beneath him. That is why he was called 'Wen'." This implied that Kong Yu was intelligent and diligent in his studies, and did not consider it a disgrace to seek knowledge from individuals of lower status or lesser learning. Therefore, he deserved the posthumous title 'Wen'.