敬而远之
- Literal
- respecting it and keeping away from it
- Figurative
- To treat someone or something with respect but from a safe distance; today it is usually a polite way of steering clear of them.
Where does 敬而远之 come from?
It comes from the Analects of Confucius, in the chapter Yong ye. His disciple Fan Chi asked what wisdom was, and the master replied that it meant devoting oneself to what is right for the people and "respecting the spirits and gods while keeping them at a distance." It was a practical stance toward the supernatural: not denying it, but not letting it run one's life either. Today it applies to people, habits, or things, and the "respect" is usually more courtesy than admiration: the point is to stay away.
Source (出处): 《论语·雍也》
How is 敬而远之 used? Two examples
- 新来的经理太严厉，大家表面客气，其实都敬而远之。
The new manager is so strict that everyone is polite to his face but keeps well clear of him.
- 我对那种高强度的健身课一直敬而远之。
I've always admired those high-intensity workout classes from a safe distance.
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