敬而远之 to show respect but keep one's distance
Explanation
表面上表示尊敬，实际上不愿接近。也指不愿接近某些人。
To show respect on the surface but actually unwilling to approach. Also refers to being unwilling to approach certain people.
Origin Story
春秋时期，孔子周游列国，倡导仁爱思想。有一次，他路过一个村庄，村民们听说孔子的到来，都纷纷前来迎接。其中，有位村民虽然对孔子十分敬佩，但因其性情孤僻，不愿与人过多接触，便只是远远地站在人群外，向孔子行礼，并未上前与孔子交谈。孔子看到这位村民的举动，并没有责怪，而是对他点了点头，表示理解。孔子深知，每个人都有自己的性格和处事方式，不必强求一致。后来，人们便用“敬而远之”来形容这种表面上表示尊敬，实际上不愿接近的态度。这个故事告诉我们，尊重他人，也要理解他人的差异，不必强求每个人都与自己亲密无间。
During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius traveled throughout the various states, advocating his ideas of benevolence. Once, he passed through a village, and the villagers, upon hearing of Confucius's arrival, flocked to greet him. Among them was a villager who, although greatly admiring Confucius, was of a reclusive nature and unwilling to interact extensively with others. He merely stood far away from the crowd, bowing to Confucius, but did not approach him for a conversation. Upon seeing this villager's actions, Confucius did not reproach him but merely nodded in acknowledgment of his feelings. Confucius understood deeply that each person has their own individual personality and way of doing things; there is no need to force conformity. Afterwards, people would use "敬而远之" to describe this attitude of showing surface respect while remaining aloof in reality. This story tells us that while respecting others, we should also understand their differences and avoid forcing intimacy upon everyone.
Usage
用于形容对某些人或事表面尊敬，实际上不愿接近的态度。
Used to describe the attitude of superficially showing respect to someone or something, but actually unwilling to approach.
Examples
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对那些虚伪的人，我们应该敬而远之。
dui na xie xu wei de ren, women ying gai jing er yuan zhi
We should keep a distance from those hypocritical people.
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他对那些阿谀奉承的人敬而远之。
dui na xie a yu feng cheng de ren jing er yuan zhi
He kept a distance from those who flattered him .