Exploring the Analects

Exploring the Analects

Book 10: 《鄉黨》 Xiang Dang (In the Village)

《鄉黨》 Passage 10.4

入公門,鞠躬如也,如不容。立不中門,行不履閾。過位,色勃如也,足躩如也,其言似不足者。攝齊升堂,鞠躬如也,屏氣似不息者。出,降一等,逞顏色,怡怡如也。沒階趨進,翼如也。復其位,踧踖如也。

Legge Translation (1861)

When he entered the palace gate, he seemed to bend his body, as if it were not sufficient to admit him.

When he stood, he did not occupy the middle of the gateway; when he passed in or out, he did not tread upon the threshold.

When he was passing the vacant seat of the prince, his countenance appeared to change, and his legs to bend under him, and his words came as if he hardly had breath to utter them.

He ascended the reception hall, holding up his robe with both hands, and his body bent; holding in his breath also, as if he dared not breathe.

When he came out from the presence, as soon as he had descended one step, he began to relax his countenance, and had a satisfied look. When he had got to the bottom of the steps, he advanced rapidly to his place, with his arms like wings, and on occupying it, his manner still showed respectful uneasiness.

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