40 years old is not confused: it means that when a person reaches 40 years old, he has experienced a lot and has already made his own judgment.
Fifty knows destiny: it means that after fifty, you know the difficulty of realizing your ideal, so you don't pursue the result.
Sixty years old: It means that at the age of sixty, you can judge whether it is true or not by listening to others.
Portrait of Confucius
source
The Analects of Confucius and The Analects of Confucius are a collection of quotations compiled by disciples of Confucius, a thinker and educator in the Spring and Autumn Period, which was written in the early Warring States Period.
original text
Confucius said: "I am determined to learn at five out of ten, stand at thirty, feel nothing at forty, know my destiny at fifty, listen to my ears at sixty, and follow my heart at seventy, without overstepping the bounds."
translate
Confucius said, "I was about fifteen years old, and I wanted to learn Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Wen and Wu before Wang Zhidao. Seriously study history, study poetry, etiquette, books and other cultures with your heart. By the time I was 30 years old, my theory had already established a foundation, and I could also base myself on the society with my theory. At the age of forty, I knew my theory was providence, so I could believe it. Although I heard all kinds of comments, I didn't doubt or waver. At the age of fifty, I have understood that Tao is heaven. At the same time, I understand that I am a servant of God, and the mission entrusted to me by God is to cultivate and preach. At the age of sixty, when you listen to others, you can understand them accurately and judge whether their words are correct or not. If there is something wrong with his words, I also know where he is wrong and why. And my judgment is in line with god's will. I can answer other people's questions right away. And my answer is in line with God's will. Seventy years old, the sky is in me, I am in the sky, the sky is with me, and the sky is with me. Therefore, you can do whatever you want without going beyond the rules and laws of heaven. "