〜ならいざ知らず

新人(しんじん)ならいざ知(し)らず、君(きみ)がこれでは困(こま)る。

Shinjin nara iza shirazu, kimi ga kore de wa komaru.

For a newcomer, perhaps — but from you this will not do.

ならいざ知らず allows the first case and refuses the second

昔(むかし)ならいざ知(し)らず、今(いま)は通用(つうよう)しません。

Mukashi nara iza shirazu, ima wa tsūyō shimasen.

In the past, maybe — but it does not work now.

A negative judgement always follows

語気(ごき)が強(つよ)いので、相手(あいて)を選(えら)びます。

Goki ga tsuyoi node, aite o erabimasu.

It is blunt, so it picks its listener.

Not upward — for equals or juniors