Book 10: 《鄉黨》 Xiang Dang (In the Village)
《鄉黨》 Passage 10.5
Legge Translation (1861)
When he was carrying the scepter of his ruler, he seemed to bend his body, as if he were not able to bear its weight. He did not hold it higher than the position of the hands in making a bow, nor lower than their position in giving anything to another. His countenance seemed to change, and look apprehensive, and he dragged his feet along as if they were held by something to the ground.In presenting the presents with which he was charged, he wore a placid appearance.
At his private audience, he looked highly pleased.
Word by word
- 執 zhí
hold in the hand, grasp
- 圭 guī
jade tablet, ceremonial scepter of office carried by an envoy
- 鞠躬如 jū gōng rú
bowed low, drew the body in, deferential hunched bearing
- 鞠 bend, bow (the body)
- 躬 the body, oneself; in person
- 如 adjectival suffix: appearing, in a ... manner
- 也 yě
final particle marking the end of a descriptive clause
- 如 rú
comparison marker: as if, as though
- 不勝 bù shèng
unable to bear, overwhelmed by (its weight)
- 不 not
- 勝 bear, withstand, overcome (a weight)
- 上 shàng
held high, the upper part (of the tablet)
- 如 rú
comparison marker: as if, as though
- 揖 yī
salute, bow of greeting with clasped hands
- 下 xià
held low, the lower part (of the tablet)
- 如 rú
comparison marker: as if, as though
- 授 shòu
give, hand over, present (a gift)
- 勃如 bó rú
sudden change of countenance, looking startled or grave
- 勃 sudden change (of countenance), startled
- 如 adjectival suffix: appearing, in a ... manner
- 戰色 zhàn sè
look of fear, apprehension
- 戰 to tremble, quake (with awe), as in 戰慄
- 色 expression, look on the face
朱熹 reads 戰 as trembling (戰而色懼也), a look of fearful awe, the construal of Legge, Roberts, Lau, Watson and Chin; Slingerland, Peimin Ni and Ames & Rosemont keep the image of going into battle.
- 足蹜蹜 zú sù sù
walked with short, shuffling steps, barely lifting the feet
- 足 foot, feet
- 蹜 reduplicated: taking short, hurried steps
- 蹜 reduplicated: taking short, hurried steps
- 如 rú
comparison marker: as if, as though
- 有循 yǒu xún
following a track or line, moving along a fixed groove
- 有 existential particle: as if there were
- 循 follow, trace along (a track or line)
- 享禮 xiǎng lǐ
the ceremony of presenting ritual gifts on a diplomatic mission
- 享 present, offer (ceremonial gifts)
- 禮 ceremony, ritual observance
- 有 yǒu
have, show, take on (an expression)
- 容色 róng sè
a relaxed, genial, composed expression
- 容 at ease, composed; bearing, appearance
- 色 expression, look on the face
- 私 sī
private, personal, as opposed to official
- 覿 dí
have an audience, be received, meet
- 愉愉如 yú yú rú
appeared cheerful and at ease, relaxed in manner
- 愉 pleased, cheerful, at ease
- 愉 pleased, cheerful, at ease
- 如 adjectival suffix: appearing, in a ... manner
- 也 yě
final particle marking the end of a descriptive clause
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