总好过七十仍不致仕
“It is better than refusing to retire at seventy,”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
总 好过 七十仍不致仕
“It is better than refusing to retire at seventy,”
倚老卖老
“flaunting your seniority,”
“Whatever flaws exist here, it beats stubbornly clinging to power well past seventy like a relic.”
In traditional China, seventy was the customary age for officials to request retirement (致仕); failing to do so was often seen as grasping and improper clinging to office.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
at least better than / beats doing something worse
Used to justify a choice or action by comparing it to an even more unpalatable alternative.
to retire from public office
A formal, classical Chinese term specifically denoting high officials stepping down due to old age.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“Getting out at 70 isn't too bad. Excuse me,”
“lived a long life.”
“See? Getting old has its advantages too.”
“and won't make things difficult for the clan elders.”
“I will not force you.”
“It's most suitable for the King to recuperate.”