Analects 10.2

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.