jìng敬respectér而andyuǎn远keep distantzhī之it
To keep someone at a distance out of respect; to respect but avoid.
Literal meaning
respect (敬) — and (而) — keep distant (远) — it (之)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase. Often attributed to the Analects, but exact phrasing is not found there. Describes a way to treat someone you respect but don't want to get too close to.
Examples
Tā他duì对nà那xiē些yǒu有quán权shì势de的rén人zǒng总shì是jìng敬ér而yuǎn远zhī之。
He always keeps those in power at a distance out of respect.
Suī虽rán然tā他hěn很yǒu有cái才huá华，dàn但xìng性gé格gǔ古guài怪，ràng让rén人jìng敬ér而yuǎn远zhī之。
Although he is very talented, his eccentric personality makes people respect but avoid him.
Usage & nuances
Implies a polite but distant relationship.
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