“The beginning of wisdom is the ability to call things by their right names” - Confucius

THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM IS THE ABILITY TO CALL THINGS BY THEIR RIGHT NAMES - CONFUCIUS

The following appears to be the original phraseology used by Confucius which forms the basis of the above-mentioned aphorism.

“If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things.

If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. 

When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish. 

When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded. 

When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot. 

Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately.

What the superior man requires is just that in his words there may be nothing incorrect."

SOURCE:

“The Analects Attributed to Confucius [Kongfuzi], 551-479 BCE by Lao-Tse [Lao Zi], Translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

https://china.usc.edu/confucius-analects-13