Analects 10.2: 鄉黨 (Xiang Dang)
Confucius and his disciples · Classical Chinese original · new English translation and commentary by Text Atlas
Overview
Book 10 presents Confucius through the details of his conduct: how he speaks among neighbors and officials, receives guests, moves through a ruler’s court, dresses, prepares for ritual, and eats. Clothing, gesture, pace, and expression change with the occasion. The later scenes include gifts, illness, a fire, a friend’s death, and encounters calling for respect. Ease at home and readiness to respond both belong to the portrait. The final, difficult scene turns to a pheasant’s flight and a repeated praise of timeliness.
Analects 10.2
朝、與下大夫言、侃侃如也、與上大夫言、誾誾如也。君在、踧踖如也、與與如也。
At court, he spoke openly with the lower-ranking officers and with respectful assurance to the higher-ranking ones. In the ruler’s presence he was anxiously respectful, yet composed.
Commentary
politics Speech within rank The two grades of officers receive different styles of speech. With the ruler present, 踧踖 and 與與 bring apprehensive respect together with composure. The descriptions register the pressure of rank while allowing more than one quality in the same bearing.
Basis: textual-inference
Confidence: medium