The idiom 'to keep at a respectful distance' comes from the Yongye book of the Analects.
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Book 6 opens 子曰：雍也可使南面 'The Master said: Yong could be set to face south', that is, he was fit to rule, since a ruler sat facing south. 雍 is the disciple 冉雍 and 也 is a particle. The book also praises 颜回 for keeping his joy in poverty and gives 文质彬彬.
