说苑/魯有恭士名曰机氾，行年七十，其恭益甚，冬日行陰，夏日行陽，市次不敢不行；參行必隨，坐必危，一食之閒，

魯有恭士名曰机氾，行年七十，其恭益甚，冬日行陰，夏日行陽，市次不敢不行；參行必隨，坐必危，一食之閒，三起不羞；見衣裘褐之士，則為之禮。

Eric Henry

In Lu there was a punctiliously respectful man-of-service named Ji Fan100 who, though seventy years old, was more respectful than ever in his behavior toward others.

Eric Henry

In the wintertime he would walk where it was shady and cold, and in the summer-time he would walk where it was sunny and hot; and he never presumed to tarry when passing through marketplaces.

魯君問曰：「机子年甚長矣，不可釋恭乎？

Eric Henry

When walking in a group of three, he was always in the last place, and, when sitting with others, he always held himself perfectly straight.

Eric Henry

In the course of a meal, he was not ashamed to rise three times to show his respect to others.

」机汜對曰：「君子好恭，以成其名；小人學恭，以除其刑。

Eric Henry

On meeting men-of-service clothed in animal pelts and short robes, he would bow in greeting.

Eric Henry

The Lu ruler questioned him about this, saying, “Master Ji, you are very advanced in age—can’t you dispense with all these expressions of respect for others?” “Men of quality,” said Ji Fan, “love respectful behavior because they can complete their reputations by means of it; petty people cultivate respect in order to keep punishment at a distance.

對君之坐，豈不安哉，尚有差跌；一食之上，豈不美哉，尚有哽噎。

Eric Henry

When seated in the presence of one’s ruler, one is surely perfectly secure, yet one may still trip and fall.

Eric Henry

When enjoying a meal, the food is surely fine and flavorful, but one may still get something stuck in one’s throat and choke.

今若汜所謂幸者也，固未能自必。

Eric Henry

I may at present be deemed a fortunate man, but I nevertheless cannot take my good fortune for granted.

Eric Henry

When wild swans soar aloft, they are surely high in the sky, yet darts at the ends of strings can still be used against them.

鴻鵠飛冲天，豈不高哉，矰繳尚得而加之；虎豹為猛，人尚食其肉、席其皮。

Eric Henry

Tigers and leopards are fierce animals, yet men still eat their flesh and use their pelts for mats.

Eric Henry

Those who give honor to others are few, and those who slander others are many.

譽人者少，惡人者多，行年七十，常恐斧質之加於汜者，何釋恭為！」

Eric Henry

Though I am seventy, I fear always that the executioner’s ax may be used against me.

Eric Henry

How then can I dispense with respect?