Original Text:
朝与下大夫言侃侃如也与上大夫言訚訚如也君在踧踖如也与与如也
Translation:
Other Translations:
At court, when speaking with officers of lower rank, he was pleasant and affable; when speaking with officers of upper rank, he was formal and proper. When his lord was present, he combined an attitude of cautious respect with graceful ease.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
At the morning audience, he talked with the lesser officials in a relaxed and affable way, and talked with the higher officials in a respectful manner. When the ruler made his appearance, Confucius assumed a reverential attitude, but one free of constraint.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.