Rén mò zhī qí zǐ zhī è, mò zhī qí miáo zhī shuò.

人莫知其子之惡, 莫知其苗之碩。

Lit People don't know the evil of their children, nor see the growing of the seedlings they plant.

Fig One naturally can't see the shortcomings of one's favorites.

Note [Cf. Confucius' Lǐjì: Dà Xué (The Book of Rites: Great Learning).]

Topics Book of Rites CHILDREN Confucius EVIL Great Learning Lǐjì PARENTS PERSPECTIVE SHORTCOMINGS