Lun Yu – Les Entretiens de Confucius

Quand il était chargé par le prince de Lou de recevoir les hôtes, l'air de son visage semblait changé et sa démarche accélérée. Pour saluer les hôtes à leur arrivée, il joignait les mains, tournait seulement les mains jointes à droite et à gauche1, sa tunique restait bien ajustée par-devant et par-derrière. En introduisant les hôtes il marchait d'un pas rapide ; tenant les bras un peu étendus, comme les ailes d'un oiseau. Après le départ d'un hôte, il ne manquait pas d'avertir le prince2. Il lui disait : « L'hôte ne tourne plus la tête en arrière3. »

Couvreur X.3.

Demeanor of Confucius at the official reception of a visitor.
1. When the prince called him to employ him in the reception of a visitor, his countenance appeared to change, and his legs to move forward with difficulty.
2. He inclined himself to the other officers among whom he stood, moving his left or right arm, as their position required, but keeping the skirts of his robe before and behind evenly adjusted.
3. He hastened forward, with his arms like the wings of a bird.
4. When the guest had retired, he would report to the prince, "The visitor is not turning round any more."

Legge X.3.

When he was summoned by his lord to act as usher, his face took on a serious expression and his step became brisk. When he bowed to his colleagues, stretching out his hands to the left or to the right, his robes followed his movements without being disarranged. He went forward with quickened steps, as though he was gliding on wings. After the withdrawal of the guest, he invariably reported, 'The guest has stopped looking back.'

Lau [10:2]