jìng​guǐ​shén'ér​yuǎn​zhījìng​guǐ​shén'ér​yuàn​zhī

to keep a respectful distance

敬鬼神而远之 敬鬼神而遠之 jìng​guǐ​shén'ér​yuǎn​zhī
to keep a respectful distance
to respect the gods and spirits but keep them at a distance; to keep someone or something at a distance for the sake of politeness or to avoid trouble
敬鬼神而远之 敬鬼神而遠之 jìng​guǐ​shén'ér​yuàn​zhī
to respect spirits from a distance
to respect gods and spirits but keep them at a distance so as to avoid superstition; to focus on the duties of humanity rather than the spiritual world