<p>the verse in the book of rites (禮記), chapter 曲禮上:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>謀於長者・必操几杖以從之</p>
</blockquote>
<p>i would interpret it as:</p>
<p>[in situation of | if | when] seeking advice (謀) from (於) an elder (長者)・[one] must (必) hold (操) [readily] the “arm rest” &amp; staff (a strong stick or pole) (几杖 —&gt; 憑几 &amp; 手杖); for the purpose of (以) attending to (從之)</p>
<p><a href="https://ctext.org/dictionary.pl?if=gb&amp;id=9489" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://ctext.org/dictionary.pl?if=gb&amp;id=9489</a></p>
<p>so, “從之” refer back to the “elder” that one’s seeking advice from.</p>
<p>btw, an “arm rest” (憑几) is a tool, when people is sitting on a mat, on floor, for putting their arms on it for resting, something like this:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ooPhP.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ooPhP.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/WtF69.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/WtF69.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>have fun :)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-17T13:39:45.240Z
You mean the elder is the one who does the action of attending? Or the person who is seeking advice?
Apollyon
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-17T14:15:47.240Z
the asker prepared the tools for attending to / caring for the elder.
水巷孑蠻
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-17T12:12:48.467Z
2020-08-17T12:12:48.467Z
水巷孑蠻
<p>In the following sentence, what does 從 mean? What is the implicit subject of 從之?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>謀於長者，必操几杖以從之。</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I'd appreciate your help.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-17T09:50:20.217Z
Simplified Chinese adds a layer of difficulty for interpretation in classical texts, please avoid it and find a faithful transcription if you can.
dROOOze
<meaning><classical-chinese><verbs>
meaning of 從 in 必操几杖以從之
# meaning of 從 in 必操几杖以從之

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-08-17)

In the following sentence, what does 從 mean? What is the implicit subject of 從之?

> 謀於長者，必操几杖以從之。

I'd appreciate your help.

**Tags:** meaning, classical-chinese, verbs

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Simplified Chinese adds a layer of difficulty for interpretation in classical texts, please avoid it and find a faithful transcription if you can.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-08-17. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

the verse in the book of rites (禮記), chapter 曲禮上:

> 謀於長者・必操几杖以從之

i would interpret it as:

[in situation of | if | when] seeking advice (謀) from (於) an elder (長者)・[one] must (必) hold (操) [readily] the “arm rest” & staff (a strong stick or pole) (几杖 —> 憑几 & 手杖); for the purpose of (以) attending to (從之)

<https://ctext.org/dictionary.pl?if=gb&id=9489>

so, “從之” refer back to the “elder” that one’s seeking advice from.

btw, an “arm rest” (憑几) is a tool, when people is sitting on a mat, on floor, for putting their arms on it for resting, something like this:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ooPhP.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ooPhP.jpg)
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/WtF69.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/WtF69.jpg)

have fun :)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: You mean the elder is the one who does the action of attending? Or the person who is seeking advice?  
> **username_2**: the asker prepared the tools for attending to / caring for the elder.  

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