折疑論 1.30

1.30

Recently, having unharnessed my carriage from dusty habits and set aside worldly affairs, taking advantage of a brief respite, I have at last come to your lofty dwelling, wishing to resolve my doubts, though I know not whether it is permissible.' (The character fou is pronounced fu; fou is a term of inquiry. 'Recently' means a short while ago. 'With' means using. 'Unharnessed the carriage' is an agricultural tool metaphor: 'recently' means removing the yoke to rest, taking the sense of temporarily setting things down. 'Dusty habits' refers to the habitual worldly household affairs. 'Set aside' means throwing them to one side. 'Worldly affairs' refers to the matters of social coming and going. Taking advantage of a moment of leisure, I have at last come to this high dwelling of seclusion, wishing to resolve the perplexities of my doubts, not knowing whether you will permit it or not.)