During the Song and Ming Dynasties, Confucian morality became fashionable. Many people vied with one another to imitate the poise of a moralist.

　　宋朝、明朝時期，道學(xué)成了一種時髦，很多人都爭著模仿道學(xué)家的風(fēng)度。

　　There was one Confucian moralist who went to the city. On the street, he walked respectfully with measured strides, his back arched and his hands behind his back. He took every step according to the accepted angle and length.

　　有一位道學(xué)先生進(jìn)城去，走在大路上，.弓著腰，背著手，恭恭敬敬地踱著四方步，每一步都不超過規(guī)定的角度和距離。

　　As he walked and walked, he felt his back aching, and was entirely exhausted. He looked around, then turned to his servant and whispered:

　　他走著走著，覺得腰酸背痛，疲憊不堪，左右張望一番，又回頭小聲問仆人:

　　"Take a look. Is there anyone behind?"

　　“看看，后頭有沒有人?”

　　The servant replied:

　　仆人回答:

　　“No.”

　　“沒有。”

　　At this moment, the Confucian moralist at once straightened up, heaved a sigh of relief and began to walk unbridledly with long strides.

　　這時候，這位道學(xué)先生馬上直起腰桿，長吁一口氣，跨開大步，放肆地走起路來。

　　Another Confucian moralist was walking slowly on the road with measured strides, when black clouds suddenly rolled in the sky and heavy rain began to pour. He dashed hurriedly for over one li. All of a sudden, he exclaimed with regret:

　　又有一位道學(xué)先生，正在路上慢慢地踱著四方步。突然間天空烏云翻滾，下起了傾盆大雨。他慌忙奔逃，跑了一里多路。忽然，他“哎呀”一聲，后悔地說:

　　"Too bad! I have erred! But a gentleman corrects his error as soon as he is aware of it, and it is not too late yet."

　　“不好，我失誤了。君子知錯就改，為時不晚。”

　　Consequently, braving the rain, he returned to the place where he started running and began to walk slowly again, step by step with measured strides.

　　于是，他冒著雨退回到剛才起跑的地方，重新開始一步一步地踱起四方步來。