service vs. seclusion; whereabouts
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesnoun
attitude toward either serving as an official or living in seclusion
literaryA literary term originating from Confucian philosophy, referring to the dilemma of whether to pursue a government career or withdraw from public life. Often appears in the classical idiom 用舍行藏.
The ancients valued the choice between serving and withdrawing, not entering office lightly.
His attitude toward serving or retreating has the style of the ancients.
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Whether to serve or to hide, one must obey the will of heaven.
noun
tracks; traces; whereabouts; background; details
literaryRefers to physical traces or background information that can reveal someone's identity, actions, or history. Commonly used in phrases such as 露行藏 (to reveal one's whereabouts) or 看破行藏 (to see through someone's background).
He observed in secret, not revealing his tracks.
After investigation, they finally figured out his background and origins.
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The thief was careless for a moment and revealed his whereabouts.
An old hand can see through someone's background at a glance.