# San Tzu Ching/San Tzu Ching

| 三 | 字 | 經 |
| San$^1$ | tzŭ$^4$ | ching$^1$ |
| Three | word | classic |
San (see line 49) is an ideogram, as also are 一 i one (line 45), 二 êrh two (line 116), and the archaic 亖 ssŭ four, for which 四 (line 114) was substituted at an early date. Odd numbers are regarded as male, even numbers as female.
Tzŭ is composed of 子 tzŭ child and 宀 mien an obsolete character meaning shelter, the former having here the double function of radical or indicator of sense, and of phonetic or indicator of sound. The word originally meant to suckle,—a child beneath a roof; later on, to betroth a girl. It came to be used in the sense of written character under the First Emperor (lines 211, 212) according to some, and according to others about a century later in the famous history by 司馬遷 Ssŭ-ma Chi'en. Previous to that date the characters 名 ming (line 16) and 文 wên (line 44) had been used.
Ching is composed of radical 糸 mi five strands of silk as spun by the silkworm, now generally read ssŭ like the duplicated form in line 87, and an obsolete phonetic. It originally meant to weave, the warp of a web, and came to be applied to canonical works or classics, thus offering a curious analogy with our own word text. Strictly speaking the property of the Confucianists, it was borrowed by the Buddhists as a suitable equivalent for sûtra (= threads) or that portion of the Canon which contains the actual utterances of Shâkyamuni Buddha. It was subsequently adopted by the Taoists (line 7), and has also been employed by Roman Catholic missionaries in their dignified rendering of Bible.
| 1. | 人 | 之 | 初 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Men at their birth |
| | Jen$^2$ | chih$^1$ | ch'u$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Men at their birth |
| | Man | arrive | beginning | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Men at their birth |
Jen is a picture of the object,—Shakespeare's forked radish. Like all Chinese characters, it is the expression of a root idea, humanity, collectively and individually; and its grammatical functions vary in accordance with its position in a sentence and the exigencies of logic. The context, lines 3 and 4, here calls for a plural.
Chih originally meant to issue forth as grass from the ground; and by extension, to meet, to arrive at. It has come to be used conventionally as a sign of the possessive case, a particle of subtle influence, and a demonstrative pronoun; also, from its shape, = zigzag.
Ch'u is composed of 刀 tao knife as radical, and 衣 i clothes (衤 in combination), and is said to derive its meaning from the application of a knife or scissors to a piece of new cloth.
| 2. | 性 | 本 | 善 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are naturally good. |
| | Hsing$^4$ | pên$^3$ | shan$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are naturally good. |
| | Nature | root | good | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are naturally good. |
Hsing is composed of 心 hsin heart as radical (忄 in combination) and 生 shêng (line 297) as phonetic. It means the moral nature, disposition, temperament, with which man is endowed at birth. Heart is used as being the seat of the moral and intellectual faculties.
Pên is composed of 木 mu a tree (line 66) as radical, and a horizontal line to indicate locality. It is much used in the sense of fundamental, original, native, etc. See line 68. ​Shan was originally composed of 羊 yang sheep (line 77) and 言 yen words (line 118) doubled. The latter portion has been corrupted, and the character is now classed under radical 口 k'ou mouth (line 263). It is noteworthy that sheep enters into several characters referring to excellence, duty, property, etc. See line 14.
| 3. | 性 | 相 | 近 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Their natures are much the same; |
| | Hsing$^4$ | hsiang$^1$ | chin$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Their natures are much the same; |
| | Nature | mutual | near | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Their natures are much the same; |
Hsing see line 2.
Hsiang is composed of 目 mu eye (line 262) as radical and 木 mu tree (line 66), and originally meant to peer, to scrutinise. It is explained in the Canon of Changes (line 135) as inability to see through trees, hence to look at; which may be compared with the derivation of lucus a non lucendo. In this sense it is now read hsiang$^4$. Read hsiang$^1$, it means mutual, reciprocal; but it is often a complementary particle of very elusive value, signifying direction towards anybody or anything.
Chin is composed of 斤 chin an axe-head, a Chinese pound weight (= 1⅓ lb. av., probably adopted from the weight of the axe-head) as phonetic, and the contraction of an obsolete word 辵 cho (辶 in composition) meaning to go on and stop as radical. The latter is commonly seen in characters dealing with movement, and is popularly known as the walking radical.
| 4. | 習 | 相 | 遠 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | their habits become widely different. |
| | Hsi$^2$ | hsiang$^1$ | yüan$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | their habits become widely different. |
| | Practice | mutual | far | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | their habits become widely different. |
Hsi is composed of 羽 yü feathers as radical and 白 pai white, and seems to have been associated with young birds practising flight.
Hsiang see line 3.
Yüan is composed of the walking radical and a common phonetic.
​It is not an authorised rhyme to shan in line 2, but is sufficient to produce the jingle which is such an important aid to memory. [Lines 3 and 4 are the ipsissima verba of Confucius, and form the chief dogma in Confucian ethics. It was vigorously upheld by Mencius (line 9), and opposed by Hsün K'uang (line 172) of the 3rd cent. B.C. who held that the nature of man is radically evil, and also by Yang Hsiung (line 172) who taught that it is neither one nor the other but a mixture of the two.]
| 5. | 苟 | 不 | 教 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If foolishly there is no teaching, |
| | Kou$^3$ | pu$^1$ | chiao$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If foolishly there is no teaching, |
| | Wrongly | not | teach | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If foolishly there is no teaching, |
Kou is composed, under its modern form, of 艸 ts'ao vegetation (艹 in composition) as radical, and 句 chü crooked (line 110) as phonetic. It commonly means if, if only, etc.
Pu is supposed to be a picture of a bird which is circling in the air and will not come down, the upper line representing the sky.
Chiao is composed of 孝 hsiao filial piety (line 41) as phonetic and an obsolete radical meaning to tap (line 43).
[Every translator so far has made the same serious error of rendering the 苟 kou in this line as though it were simply "if." It is elliptical however for 苟且 kou ch'ieh (line 274) wrongly, improperly etc., as carefully stated in Ho Hsing-ssŭ's commentary.]
| 6. | 性 | 乃 | 遷 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the nature will deteriorate. |
| | Hsing$^4$ | nai$^3$ | ch'ien$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the nature will deteriorate. |
| | Nature | then | move | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the nature will deteriorate. |
Hsing see line 2.
Nai was originally a picture of vapour struggling forth. It is now a conjunctive and disjunctive particle, with other and more unusual values, demonstrative (line 95) and possessive.
Ch'ien is composed of the walking radical (line 3) and a phonetic which ​means to ascend. The whole character originally meant to ascend, then to move from a given position, a departure from the norm, etc.
| 7. | 教 | 之 | 道 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The right way in teaching |
| | Chiao$^4$ | chih$^1$ | tao$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The right way in teaching |
| | Teach | arrive | road | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The right way in teaching |
Chiao see line 5.
Chih see line 1. [It is unnecessary here to regard chih as a sign of the possessive. The root idea may be developed as follows:—"In the matter of teaching, we reach the right method by, etc."]
Tao is composed of the walking radical and 首 shou head (line 41). It originally meant that which passes through, a road to be walked upon, and then by extension a road or method to be followed, as in philosophy, and even in stealing. Hence Taoism, the Doctrine of the Way, as taught by Lao Tzŭ (line 174), in antagonism to the Way taught by Confucius (line 121). 道人 tao jen was a term for Buddhists down to the end of the 5th cent. A.D., and Mr. T. W. Kingsmill has identified tao with the Buddhist mârga, the path which leads to Nirvâna.
| 8. | 貴 | 以 | 專 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is to attach the utmost importance to thoroughness. |
| | Kuei$^4$ | i$^3$ | chuan$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is to attach the utmost importance to thoroughness. |
| | Valuable | take | single | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is to attach the utmost importance to thoroughness. |
Kuei is composed of 貝 pei, a picture under its old form of a pearl-oyster, once a circulating medium in China; hence, precious, honourable, as radical, with a corruption of 臾 k'uei$^4$ a basket as phonetic.
I under its old form was the horary character 巳 ssŭ turned back to front, and its original meaning was to use, to take.
Chuan is composed of 寸 ts'un an inch as radical, and a phonetic which, with the ts'un added, forms another important phonetic. Its ​original meaning is uncertain; but among its earliest senses is that of unity, singleness of purpose, special, etc.
[The structure of this line is 以 to take 專 thoroughness (為 to be, understood) 貴 the valuable thing. Few couplets in the San Tzŭ Ching have been so widely misunderstood as the above. Dr. Bridgman (Chinese Repository for 1836, p. 107, reproduced by Williams in The Middle Kingdom, 1883): "A course of education, is made valuable by close attention."
The Rev. S. C. Malan, 1856: "But in the way of education, the principal-thing is undivided attention."
Stanislas Julien, 1864: "Teaching takes all its value from an entire application of mind of the master"
Rév. Père Zottoli, 1879: "Educationis ratio exigitur ex toto animo."
The Rev. E. J. Eitel (China Review for 1892, vol. XX, p. 35): "Education's rationale is such that the highest value is placed on application."
The flaws in all the above renderings, of which the last is decidedly the worst, will be made plain by a reference to the commentary. Education, in the Chinese acceptation of the term, should begin even before birth. The prospective mother should watch carefully over her own uprisings and downsittings. She must see no evil sights and hear no harsh sounds. She must not indulge in strong language, nor taste of out-of-the-way dishes; but she should herself cultivate loyalty, filial piety, friendly feelings, and upright principles, with a view to transmit the same to her child about to be. This is the first stage of education. The second consists in teaching her little one to eat with the right hand, to speak in a subdued tone, to know the four points of the compass (see line 64), to be deferential, and to avoid selfishness. The last stage begins in the schoolroom, at about ​eight years of age. Julien rightly saw that chuan could not refer to the pupil, but he wrongly limited its function to the schoolmaster.]
| 9. | 昔 | 孟 | 母 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Of old, the mother of Mencius |
| | Hsi$^1$ | Mêng$^4$ | mu$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Of old, the mother of Mencius |
| | Old | Mencius | mother | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Of old, the mother of Mencius |
Hsi is composed of 日 jih sun (line 52) and the corruption of an obsolete character meaning stale meat. It originally meant dried meat, and is now used in the sense of formerly, of yore.
Mêng is composed of 子 tzŭ child as radical, with 皿 min or ming dishes as phonetic. It means chief, eldest, but is here the surname of the philosopher 孟子 Mêng Tzŭ (line 119), latinised by the Jesuit missionaries as above. He flourished B.C. 372—289, and his teachings are contained in the last of the Four Books (line 119).
Mu has been regarded (1) as the picture of a woman embracing a child, or (2) as representing the breasts of a woman. It becomes 媽 ma or ma-ma to the child, as with us (line 18).
| 10. | 擇 | 鄰 | 處 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | chose a neighbourhood; |
| | Tsê$^2$ | lin$^2$ | ch'u$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | chose a neighbourhood; |
| | Choose | neighbour | place | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | chose a neighbourhood; |
Tsê is composed of 手 shou hand (扌 in combination), and a phonetic for which see line 344.
Lin is composed of 邑 i a town or district (⻏ in combination, always on the right) and 粦 lin lights which flit over old battle-fields, will-o'-the-wisps, as phonetic.
Ch'u is composed of radical 虍 hu a tiger and 処 as phonetic. This latter appears to have been the original character. It is explained as 夂 sui to walk (obsolete) and 几 chi a bench, = to walk to a bench, q.d. to stop, to abide, which are still meanings of 處 when read ch'u$^3$, as also are to decide, to punish.
​[The story runs that when first left a widow Mencius' mother lived with her little boy near a cemetery, the result being that the latter was always playing at funerals. Removing to a house near the market-place, she found that the boy now began to play at buying and selling; and fearing the ill effect of these sordid associations, she next sought shelter near a college. There the young philosopher began to imitate the ceremonial observances in which the students were instructed, to the great joy and satisfaction of his mother. In modern China, more attention is paid to neighbours than to neighbourhood, every householder being held responsible for the doings of those on each side of him.]
| 11. | 子 | 不 | 學 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and when her child would not learn, |
| | Tzŭ$^3$ | pu$^1$ | hsüeh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and when her child would not learn, |
| | Child | not | learn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and when her child would not learn, |
Tzŭ, under its original form, was a rude picture of a child. Except in special cases it refers to males. It came to be used as a term of respect, sir, philosopher, and is now colloquially employed as an enclitic.
Pu see line 5.
Hsüeh is a corruption of 教 chiao to teach (line 5), the radical on the right being omitted and the left-hand portion modified by the addition of an obsolete word 冖 mi to cover, imparting the idea of ignorance. It originally meant to awake to a sense of one's position.
| 12. | 斷 | 機 | 杼 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | she broke the shuttle from the loom. |
| | Tuan$^4$ | chi$^1$ | chu$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | she broke the shuttle from the loom. |
| | Break | machine | shuttle | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | she broke the shuttle from the loom. |
Tuan has for its radical 斤 chin to cut wood, an axe (line 3), with a phonetic which was the old form of a word 絶 chüeh to break, and is said to express pictorially the idea of dividing into halves.
​Chi is composed of 木 mu wood as radical (line 66), with 幾 chi how many? as phonetic, and is rather the motive power than the machine itself, which is an extended sense.
Chu is composed of 木 mu wood as radical, with 予 yü I as phonetic, and is the shuttle for holding the thread of the woof (see title). What Mencius' mother did was to exemplify to her son the disastrous effect of want of continuity in learning by snapping the thread of the woof. Eitel translates, "She tore (in his presence) loom and shuttle." Père Zottoli has "fregit textorium radium." But it was the thread which she broke, not the shuttle, the latter being put by synecdoche for its contents.
| 13. | 竇 | 燕 | 山 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Tou of the Swallow Hills |
| | Tou$^4$ | yen$^4$ | shan$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Tou of the Swallow Hills |
| | Tou | swallow | hill | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Tou of the Swallow Hills |
Tou is composed of 穴 hsüeh a hole as radical, with 賣 (see line 134), here an abbreviation for 瀆 tu a ditch, as phonetic. It was the surname of 竇禹鈞 Tou Yü-chün, a scholar of the 10th cent. A.D. He lived in 幽州 Yu-chou, a part of modern Chihli which fell under the jurisdiction of Yen; hence he received the sobriquet of Yen-shan, the name of the 順天 Shun-t'ien Prefecture under the 宋 Sung dynasty, A.D. 960–1260.
Yen was under its old form a picture of a flying swallow, the two halves of 北 pei north (line 61), between which 口 k'ou mouth (line 263) is inserted, representing the wings, and 火 huo fire (line 65), under which radical it is now classed, giving a good idea of the forked tail.
Shan was originally a picture of mountain peaks.
| 14. | 有 | 義 | 方 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | had the right method. |
| | Yu$^3$ | i$^4$ | fang$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | had the right method. |
| | Have | duty | method | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | had the right method. |
Yu is composed of 月 yüeh moon as radical, below 又 yu a hand ​(line 18) as phonetic. The latter portion is said to have been the original character, moon being added as a differentia when the written language began to grow. Yu is the root idea of being and possession, q.d. to exist, to have, which senses have been fancifully derived from the moon present, not eclipsed. Read yu$^4$, it means plus.
I is composed of 羊 yang sheep (line 77) above 我 wo I (line 147) = my sheep, and points towards a great obligation in primitive ages. It can be best rendered in philosophy by duty towards one's neighbour (line 69). Thus it came to mean something provided from a sense of duty, as a burying-ground for the poor, troops to defend the people's liberties (line 240), etc. It also signifies meaning, purport.
Fang originally meant, and is supposed to be a picture of, two boats joined together. Then it came to mean square, and by extension a place. Here it stands for the colloquial 方法 fang fa a means of doing. For an adverbial sense, see line 30.
| 15. | 教 | 五 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He taught five sons, |
| | Chiao$^4$ | wu$^2$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He taught five sons, |
| | Teach | five | son | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He taught five sons, |
Chiao see line 5.
Wu was originally written X, and for short X. It is now classed under radical 二 êrh two (line 116), representing heaven above and earth below, the cross lines shewing the interaction of the male and female principles of Chinese cosmogony.
Tzŭ see line 11.
| 16. | 名 | 俱 | 揚 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | each of whom raised the family reputation. |
| | Ming$^2$ | chü$^1$ | yang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | each of whom raised the family reputation. |
| | Name | all | raise | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | each of whom raised the family reputation. |
Ming is composed of 夕 hsi evening (line 266) and 口 k'ou mouth ​as radical. It is explained thus: "In the evening it is dark and one cannot see, so that it is necessary for a man to call out his name." The word ming (see title) is now mostly used of a man's personal name, which is taboo except to parents and to the sovereign. Tou's five sons all rose to high office.
Chü is composed of 人 jen man as radical, with 具 chü (line 84) as phonetic.
Yang is composed of 手 shou hand as radical, with a common phonetic which must be distinguished from 昜 i (line 126). [Zottoli and Eitel are both wrong in making ming refer to the sons.]
| 17. | 養 | 不 | 教 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | To feed without teaching |
| | Yang$^3$ | pu$^1$ | chiao$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | To feed without teaching |
| | Feed | not | teach | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | To feed without teaching |
Yang is composed of 羊 yang sheep as phonetic and 食 shih eat as radical, and means to bear children, to feed. Read yang$^4$, it means to minister to, to attend upon, especially one's parents.
Pu see line 5.
Chiao see line 5.
| 18. | 父 | 之 | 過 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is the father's fault. |
| | Fu$^4$ | chih$^1$ | kuo$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is the father's fault. |
| | father | arrive | transgress | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is the father's fault. |
Fu was originally an ideogram, being composed of 又 yu again, which anciently meant a hand with three fingers stretched out and was the original form of the more modern 右 yu right hand, and a ferule. A common name for a father is 家嚴 chia yen (lines 19, 192) the family severe one, while a mother is called 家慈 chia tz'ŭ the family gentle one. In the mouth of the child fu becomes 爹 tieh daddy (line 9). Fu sometimes = male (line 210).
​Chih see line 1.
Kuo is composed of the walking radical and a common phonetic. It means to pass by or over; hence, to transgress, an error, a fault. It is used colloquially to form the past tense, thus: 來 lai come, 來過 came. See line 162.
| 19. | 教 | 不 | 嚴 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | To teach, without severity |
| | Chiao$^4$ | pu$^1$ | yen$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | To teach, without severity |
| | Teach | not | severe | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | To teach, without severity |
Chiao see line 5.
Pu see line 5.
Yen is composed of two 口 k'ou mouths which formed the ancient radical (now a single k'ou) and a phonetic. It originally meant a sharp order, hence severe; see line 18.
| 20. | 師 | 之 | 惰 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is the teacher's laziness. |
| | Shih$^1$ | chih$^1$ | to$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is the teacher's laziness. |
| | Teacher | arrive | lazy | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is the teacher's laziness. |
Shih is composed of an old form of 堆 tui a mound or bank on the left, with 帀 tsa to encompass as ancient (巾 chin napkin modern) radical on the right. It originally meant a body of 2500 soldiers (line 240), and its composition may possibly have reference to a mud fortress; then it came to mean to take as a model, a teacher, a master workman. Confucius said 三人同行必有我師 san jen t'ung hsing, pi yu wo shih, if three men are walking together, one will be my teacher, i.e. able to teach me something (see title, lines 1, 106, 67, 112, 14, 147).
Chih see line 1.
To is composed of 心 hsin heart as radical and a phonetic (line 235).
| 21. | 子 | 不 | 學 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If the child does not learn, |
| | Tzŭ$^3$ | pu$^1$ | hsüeh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If the child does not learn, |
| | Child | not | learn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If the child does not learn, |
Tzŭ see line 11.
Pu see line 5.
Hsüeh see line 11.
| 22. | 非 | 所 | 宜 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | this is not as it should be. |
| | Fei$^1$ | so$^3$ | i$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | this is not as it should be. |
| | Not | what | ought | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | this is not as it should be. |
Fei is supposed to resemble a pair of wings placed back to back; hence, to turn the back on, to negative.
So is composed of 戶 hu a leaf of 門 mên a door, and 斤 chin (line 3). Its original meaning was the sound of chopping. It then came to mean a place, i.e. was probably adopted to express an idea the sound for which already existed. The next stage was to apply this word in the sense of a relative pronoun. It will be found under radical hu in K'ang Hsi's dictionary, under chin in the 說文 Shuo Wên dictionary of the 1st cent. A.D.
I is composed, under its old form, of 多 to many (line 302) contracted, below a roof and above a line = the ground. It originally meant in repose, sheltered, and now means to be right, fitting, proper.
| 23. | 幼 | 不 | 學 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If he does not learn while young, |
| | Yu$^4$ | pu$^1$ | hsüeh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If he does not learn while young, |
| | Young | not | learn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If he does not learn while young, |
Yu is an ideogram composed of 幺 yao small, said to be the picture of a new-born child, now the ace at dice, as radical, and 力 li strength; sc. youth.
Pu see line 5.
Hsüeh see line 11. ​
| 24. | 老 | 何 | 為 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | what will he be when old? |
| | Lao$^3$ | ho$^2$ | wei$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | what will he be when old? |
| | Old | what | be | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | what will he be when old? |
Lao was originally composed of 人 jen man, 毛 mao hair, and an obsolete character meaning to change; q.d. the hair turning white, seventy years of age. See lines 41, 174.
Ho is composed of 人 jen man as radical, with 可 k'o possibility, can, as phonetic. It is a common interrogative particle.
Wei is composed of 爪 chao claws as radical, over the alleged picture of a female monkey, which is said to be fond of scratching. It came to mean to be, to do. Read wei$^4$, it means on behalf, in place of; hence to pawn.
| 25. | 玉 | 不 | 琢 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If jade is not polished, |
| | Yü$^4$ | pu$^1$ | cho$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If jade is not polished, |
| | Jade | not | polish | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If jade is not polished, |
Yü was originally composed of three equidistant horizontal lines joined by a vertical stroke. It is now written with a dot, which is omitted in composition, to distinguish it from 王 wang (line 190). It is the gem par excellence of China, a species of nephrite or jade, and is held to possess five virtues. It is used for all kinds of ornaments, and is also put into the mouths of corpses to preserve them from decay.
Pu see line 5.
Cho is composed of 玉 yü jade as radical, and a phonetic which is 豕 shih pig (line 78) with its feet tied together. It means to prepare jade.
| 26. | 不 | 成 | 器 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | it cannot become a thing of use. |
| | Pu$^1$ | ch'êng$^2$ | ch'i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | it cannot become a thing of use. |
| | Not | become | utensil | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | it cannot become a thing of use. |
Pu see line 5.
Ch'êng is composed of 戊 mou or wu flourishing, and what under ​the old form was 丁 ting a cyclical character, a man, a nail, etc. It means to accomplish, to complete.
Ch'i is composed of four 口 k'ou mouths with 犬 ch'üan dog (line 78) in the middle. It originally meant receptacles for food etc., the mouths of which are represented as guarded by a dog. It also means anything which can be put to some definite use. Confucius said 君子不器 chün tzŭ pu ch'i the superior man is not a thing, i.e. of restricted use; mathematically, he is not a function of one variable but of many.
| 27. | 人 | 不 | 學 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If a man does not learn, |
| | Jen$^2$ | pu$^1$ | hsüeh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If a man does not learn, |
| | Man | not | learn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If a man does not learn, |
Jen see line 1.
Pu see line 5.
Hsüeh see line 11.
| 28. | 不 | 知 | 義 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | he cannot know his duty towards his neighbour. |
| | Pu$^1$ | chih$^1$ | i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | he cannot know his duty towards his neighbour. |
| | Not | know | duty | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | he cannot know his duty towards his neighbour. |
Pu see line 5.
Chih is composed of 矢 shih the arrow or bolt in a crossbow as radical and phonetic, and 口 k'ou mouth. It is defined in the Shuo Wên (line 22) as language, the outward expression of inward ideas; but from the earliest times it is found meaning to know, to perceive.
I see line 14. It has here a variant, 理 li eternal principles, found in inferior editions.
| 29. | 為 | 人 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He who is the son of a man, |
| | Wei$^2$ | jen$^2$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He who is the son of a man, |
| | Be | man | child | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He who is the son of a man, |
Wei see line 24.
​Jen is in the possessive case by position and by logical requirements.
Tzŭ see line 11. [Jen tzŭ is the same as 人之子 jen chih tzŭ, which has been adopted by the translators of the Bible as rendering "the Son of Man" (Matt. VIII. 20 etc.). But these terms point rather to sons of men in general, and require the insertion of a demonstrative particle.]
| 30. | 方 | 少 | 時 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | when he is young |
| | Fang$^1$ | shao$^4$ | shih$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | when he is young |
| | Just | young | time | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | when he is young |
Fang see line 14. It is here used adverbially and signifies just now, then, when, a moment ago.
Shao is composed of 小 hsiao small (line 113) as opposed to 大 ta great (lines 113, 127), and a sweeping stroke from right to left. It has come by extension to mean young, and when preceding a man's name is used in the sense of the Younger So-and-So, as opposed to 老 (line 24) the Elder. Its original meaning was few as opposed to 多 to many (line 302), in which sense it is now read shao$^3$.
Shih has 日 jih the sun (line 52) as radical, pointing towards the meaning, and 寺 ssŭ a temple as phonetic. The latter is composed of 寸 ts'un inch as radical, which seems to refer to regulations, below an abbreviation of 之 chih (line 1) as phonetic, and is used in several important characters (line 135).
| 31. | 親 | 師 | 友 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | should attach himself to his teachers and friends. |
| | Ch'in$^1$ | shih$^1$ | yu$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | should attach himself to his teachers and friends. |
| | Intimate | teacher | friend | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | should attach himself to his teachers and friends. |
Ch'in is composed of 見 chien to see (line 42) and a phonetic. It is defined in the Shuo Wên by 至 chih (line 94), and one of its earliest meanings was to love, close attachment to; hence it comes to mean parents, relatives (line 35).
​Shih see line 20.
Yu is composed of two 又 yu hands (line 18) entwined; hence its meaning. It is defined as "of the same class or kind." See also line 102.
| 32. | 習 | 禮 | 儀 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and practise ceremonial usages. |
| | Hsi$^2$ | li$^3$ | i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and practise ceremonial usages. |
| | Practise | ceremonies | usages | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and practise ceremonial usages. |
Hsi see line 4.
Li is composed of 示 shih divine manifestation, to proclaim, etc., as radical, with a phonetic (line 150) which meant a sacrificial vessel. It is defined as worship of the gods which brings happiness; hence, ritual. It bears also the varying meanings of etiquette, politeness, and propriety. It was coupled with music in the ancient educational system of China as an important factor in the art of government. Lao Tzŭ (line 7) explained ceremonies as "the outward expression of inward feelings," while admitting in another utterance that they are but "the veneer of loyalty and good faith." For the Book of Rites, see line 136.
I is simply i duty towards one's neighbour (line 28) as phonetic, with 人 jen man as radical. It originally meant a limit; then usages, observances, etc.
| 33. | 香 | 九 | 齡 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Hsiang, at nine years of age, |
| | Hsiang$^1$ | chiu$^3$ | ling$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Hsiang, at nine years of age, |
| | Hsiang | nine | year | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Hsiang, at nine years of age, |
Hsiang is a corruption of 黍 shu millet (line 74) over 甘 kan sweet. It means scented, fragrant, as in Hongkong (Cantonese pronunciation), the second syllable being 港 chiang a lagoon. It is here the personal name of a man surnamed 黃 Huang (line 180), of the 2nd cent. A.D., famous as a model of filial piety
​Chiu is supposed to represent the weakening of the male numbers (see title), which reached their climacteric at 七 ch'i seven (line 84), before their individuality is lost in the completeness of 十 shih ten (line 45). 九九 nine nines is a term for arithmetic.
Ling is composed of 齒 ch'ih teeth as radical, with 令 or 令 ling a command as phonetic. It means the front teeth, from which the sense of year, only found in the book-language, is probably derived.
| 34. | 能 | 温 | 席 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could warm (his parents') bed. |
| | Nêng$^2$ | wên$^1$ | hsi$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could warm (his parents') bed. |
| | Able | warm | mat | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could warm (his parents') bed. |
Nêng originally meant a bear, now written 熊 and pronounced hsiung. It is possible that the strength of the bear may have imparted the meaning of power to the character, which is now classed under radical 肉 jou flesh.
Wên is composed of 水 shui water (氵 in composition, see line 65) as radical, and a phonetic, the value of which is sometimes wên and sometimes yün. 温水 wên shui is colloquial for warm water.
Hsi is composed of 庶 shu many (contracted) and 巾 chin napkin as radical. It refers to the mats on which the "many" guests sat, and although chairs and tables were used in very early ages, the term mat is still applied to a banquet. It here refers to the plaited grass mats laid on beds, fine ones for coolness in summer, coarse ones for warmth in winter.
| 35. | 孝 | 於 | 親 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Filial piety towards parents |
| | Hsiao$^4$ | yü$^2$ | ch'in$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Filial piety towards parents |
| | Filial | towards | parents | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Filial piety towards parents |
Hsiao see lines 5, 41.
Yü was originally the same as 于 yü (lines 130, 233) which was ​developed from 亏 yü a picture of vapour extending. It is defined by 居 chü to be stationary, 往 wang to move towards, and 代 tai in place of. It is commonly used with such prepositional values as in, on, at, to, from, etc., all of which may be traced to one or other of the root-ideas.
Ch'in see line 31.
| 36. | 所 | 當 | 執 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is that to which we should hold fast. |
| | So$^3$ | tang$^1$ | chih$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is that to which we should hold fast. |
| | What | ought | hold | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is that to which we should hold fast. |
So see line 22.
Tang is composed of 田 t'ien cultivated fields as radical, with 尙 shang (line 270) above it as phonetic. It is said to have derived its meaning of right or proper from the rectangular form in which fields are properly laid out. Read tang$^4$, it means to stand in place of, to pawn. In the latter sense it is often seen, of gigantic dimensions, on the blank walls of houses, and corresponds to the well-known sign of three balls in this country.
Chih is composed of an ancient radical, also its phonetic, on the left, and 丸 wan balls on the right, the latter portion being a corruption of 手 shou hand and a stroke to the right. It means to arrest prisoners, to seize, and is now classed under radical 土 t'u earth (line 66).
| 37. | 融 | 四 | 歲 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Jung, at four years of age, |
| | Jung$^2$ | ssŭ$^4$ | sui$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Jung, at four years of age, |
| | Jung | four | year | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Jung, at four years of age, |
Jung is composed of 鬲 li a cauldron and 虫 ch'ung (short for 蟲) insect, reptile, as radical, and originally meant steam rising, its radical being associated in the Chinese mind with vaporous manifestations. The character now means clear, bright, intelligent, and is here the personal name of 孔融 K'ung Jung, died ​A.D. 208, a descendant of Confucius in the 20th generation.
Ssŭ is supposed to be a picture of quartering (see title).
Sui is composed of 步 pu to step, to walk, and 戌 hsü a horary character as phonetic. It originally meant 木星 mu hsing wood-star (lines 66, 52), i.e. the planet Jupiter, also known to the Chinese as the year-star from its revolution in twelve years which was reckoned as one great year. It is now colloquially used as a year of one's life or age (line 33), and is classed under radical 止 chih to stop.
| 38. | 能 | 讓 | 梨 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could yield the (bigger) pears. |
| | Nêng$^2$ | jang$^4$ | li$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could yield the (bigger) pears. |
| | Able | yield | pear | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could yield the (bigger) pears. |
Nêng see line 34.
Jang is composed of 言 yen words and 襄 hsiang which is an important phonetic (see line 82).
Li is composed of 木 mu wood (line 66) as radical and 利 li sharp as phonetic. [The story runs that when K'ung Jung at four years of age was asked why he chose all the small pears and left the bigger ones for the rest of the family he replied, "I am a small boy, so I take the small pears." Eitel wrongly translates "was able to yield up his pears (to his brothers)."]
| 39. | 弟 | 於 | 長 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | To behave as a younger brother towards elders, |
| | T'i$^4$ | yu$^2$ | chang$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | To behave as a younger brother towards elders, |
| | Fraternal | towards | grow | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | To behave as a younger brother towards elders, |
T'i to behave as a younger brother is a verbal sense developed from the original sound and signification of the character read ti$^4$ = younger brother (line 100). For convenience' sake the former is sometimes written 悌, with 心 hsin heart as radical.
Yü see line 35.
Chang means to grow, one grown, an elder. The original word ​was ch'ang$^2$, composed of 兀 wu lofty, far, 𠤎 hua (the old form of 化, to be distinguished from 七 ch'i seven, line 84) to melt, to change, and 亡 wang to perish (line 159) turned upside down, showing that this last is to be taken in an opposite sense. It is consequently explained as that which will go far without change, lasting, long.
| 40. | 宜 | 先 | 知 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is one of the first things to know. |
| | I$^2$ | hsien$^1$ | chih$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is one of the first things to know. |
| | Ought | before | know | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | is one of the first things to know. |
I see line 22.
Hsien is composed of 人 jen man (under the form in which it appears when placed at the bottom of a character) as radical, and a corrupted 之 (line 1). It is used as a comparative adverb of time.
Chih see line 28.
| 41. | 首 | 孝 | 弟 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Begin with filial piety and fraternal love, |
| | Shou$^3$ | hsiao$^4$ | t'i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Begin with filial piety and fraternal love, |
| | Head | filial | fraternal | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Begin with filial piety and fraternal love, |
Shou was originally written with three wavy strokes at the top, said to represent hair, the lower portion being an obsolete word for head.
Hsiao is composed of 老 lao old (line 24), as seen in combination, as phonetic, and 子 tzŭ child underneath as radical, thus picturing the idea of the young taking care of the old.
T'i see line 39. The logic shows it cannot be ti.
| 42. | 次 | 見 | 聞 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and then see and hear. |
| | Tz'ŭ$^4$ | chien$^4$ | wên$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and then see and hear. |
| | Second | see | hear | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and then see and hear. |
Tz'ŭ is composed of 二 êrh two and 欠 ch'ien as radical. The latter now means to owe, but was originally a picture of vapour ​issuing from a man's head, hence to yawn. Tz'ŭ is explained as not in the front rank or of the best kind.
Chien is composed of 目 mu eye (line 262) as radical, and 人 jen man (line 40). It originally meant to look at, and has come to signify sense perception of any kind.
Wên is composed of 門 mên the two leaves of a door (line 22) and 耳 êrh ear, and means to hear, to smell. Seeing and hearing stand for the acquisition of knowledge in general.
| 43. | 知 | 某 | 數 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Learn to count, |
| | Chih$^1$ | mou$^3$ | shu$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Learn to count, |
| | Know | certain | numbers | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Learn to count, |
Chih see line 28.
Mou is composed of 木 mu wood as radical, and 甘 kan sweet. It originally meant sour plums, explained exactly as lucus a non lucendo. An old dictionary says, "Things of which the names are not known are mou." The term 某人 mou jen a certain man, is used in reading as a substitute for the personal names of Confucius and Mencius, which may not be uttered.
Shu is composed of 攴 p'u to tap (in composition 夊, see chiao line 5) as radical, with an important phonetic. It originally meant to count, probably based upon tapping, in which sense it is now read shu$^3$.
| 44. | 識 | 某 | 文 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and learn to read. |
| | Shih$^4$ | mou$^3$ | wên$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and learn to read. |
| | Know | certain | characters | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and learn to read. |
Shih is composed of 言 yen words and an important phonetic. It answers more to connaître than to savoir.
Mou see line 43.
Wên originally meant cross lines, any markings or veins, streaks on a tiger, etc.; hence the written character, in which sense it ​was used until the introduction of 字 tzŭ (see title), and literature, and by extension civilian (see line 189). [Eitel and Père Zottoli have both missed the point of these two lines. For the latter Eitel has "and understand the several appellatives" whatever that may mean. P. Zottoli has "scias aliquot notiones," the scias following an ut erroneously inserted as a conjunction between lines 42 and 43.]
| 45. | 一 | 而 | 十 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Units and tens, |
| | I$^1$ | êrh$^2$ | shih$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Units and tens, |
| | one | and | ten | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Units and tens, |
I stands for Unity, the cosmogonical abstraction which was ultimately subdivided into two forces, the resultant being the visible material universe. It is the number of heaven; see title and line 49.
Erh originally meant whiskers. It is now used as a conjunction, sometimes disjunctive, and also as the pronoun you.
Shih is composed of one line pointing east and west and another pointing north and south; it therefore represents the hub of the universe, also numerical completeness, the Chinese system being decimal.
| 46. | 十 | 而 | 百 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | tens and hundreds, |
| | Shih$^2$ | êrh$^2$ | pai$^3$ or pŏ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | tens and hundreds, |
| | Ten | and | hundred | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | tens and hundreds, |
Shih see line 45.
Erh see line 45.
Pai (or pŏ) was composed, according to the Shuo Wên, of a contraction of 自 tzŭ nose (line 93) as radical, and 一 i unity. In K'ang Hsi's dictionary, however, it is regarded as composed of 一 i one and 白 pai or pŏ white as radical, though i would be an intelligible radical and pai would be a perfect phonetic. The functions of radical and phonetic are often thus arbitrarily interchanged. Pai is much used by synecdoche for all, every; e.g. 百 ​姓 pŏ hsing the hundred surnames, i.e. all the surnames, of which no less than 4657 have been recorded; hence the people of China.
| 47. | 百 | 而 | 千 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | hundreds and thousands, |
| | Pai$^3$ | êrh$^2$ | ch'ien$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | hundreds and thousands, |
| | Hundred | and | thousand | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | hundreds and thousands, |
Pai see line 46.
Erh see line 45.
Ch'ien is composed of 十 shih ten (line 45) as radical, and a corruption of 人 jen man. 千歲 ch'ien sui a thousand years (line 37) is a title of a prince.
| 48. | 千 | 而 | 萬 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | thousands and tens of thousands. |
| | Ch'ien$^1$ | êrh$^2$ | wan$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | thousands and tens of thousands. |
| | Thousand | and | ten-thousand | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | thousands and tens of thousands. |
Ch'ien see line 47.
Erh see line 45.
Wan was originally classed under radical 禸 jou the track of an animal, and meant insects; hence its primary meanings, myriad, all. It is now classed under radical 艸 ts'ao vegetation. It is often written 万 for short; sometimes the Indian 卍 sauvastika is employed. 萬歲 wan sui ten thousand years (see line 37) is a title of the Emperor.
| 49. | 三 | 才 | 者 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Three Forces |
| | San$^1$ | ts'ai$^2$ | chê$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Three Forces |
| | Three | force | ones | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Three Forces |
San see title. The three lines of which this character is composed have been said to stand for heaven, earth, and man.
Ts'ai was originally written as a vertical line dividing two parallel horizontals, and meant vegetation sprouting. It came to mean force, power, talent, and is now classed under radical 手 shou hand.
​Chê is composed of 白 tzŭ (= 自 see line 46) as radical, and a contraction of 旅 lü a body of 500 men (not a contraction of 老 lao old as in line 41). It is impossible to say what was its original meaning; perhaps a leader of 500 men. It is now a particle imparting various forces, substantival (as here), adjectival, adverbial, etc., to words and phrases, and is classed under radical 老 lao old. For its phonetic value, based probably upon some older sound, see lines 149, 176, 230, 238.
| 50. | 天 | 地 | 人 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are Heaven, Earth, and Man. |
| | T'ien$^1$ | ti$^4$ | jen$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are Heaven, Earth, and Man. |
| | Heaven | earth | man | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are Heaven, Earth, and Man. |
T'ien is composed of 一 i one, its original radical, and 大 ta great, its present radical. Originally meaning the top, that which is above, the physical sky, it soon came to mean the invisible Power beyond, God; popularly, the old man in blue clothes. See line 79.
Ti is composed of 土 t'u earth, soil, as radical, and 也 yeh female, heaven being regarded as male. See line 79.
Jen see line 1. [When chaos resolved itself into the universe, the lighter gas rose and formed the sky, while the heavier congealed and formed the earth. From the interaction of these two, "the bridal of the earth and sky," all things were produced, of which the chief was man, endowed with reason.]
| 51. | 三 | 光 | 者 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Three Luminaries |
| | San$^1$ | kuang$^1$ | chê$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Three Luminaries |
| | Three | bright | ones | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Three Luminaries |
San see title.
Kuang is composed of 火 huo fire above 人 jen man (line 40). The former used to be, the latter is now, its radical.
Chê see line 49. ​
| 52. | 日 | 月 | 星 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are the sun, the moon, and the stars. |
| | Jih$^4$ | yüeh$^4$ | hsing$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are the sun, the moon, and the stars. |
| | Sun | moon | star | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are the sun, the moon, and the stars. |
Jih was originally a circle containing an irregular line, and may be regarded as a picture character. It came to be used also in the sense of day.
Yüeh was originally a picture of the crescent moon, which may be faintly traced even in its modern form. It came to be used for lunar month, twelve of which go to the year, the difference between the lunar and solar years being made up by seven intercalary months in nineteen years.
Hsing was originally 生 shêng to produce as phonetic, with three circles at the points of its then trident-like form. Under a later form these circles became three 日 jih suns, which combination was then the radical of the character. These were reduced to one, its modern radical. It is explained as the pure, ethereal portion of the universe, which rises to heaven and manifests itself as stars.
| 53. | 三 | 綱 | 者 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Three Bonds |
| | San$^1$ | kang$^1$ | chê$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Three Bonds |
| | Three | bond | one | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Three Bonds |
San see title.
Kang is composed of 糹ssŭ silk as radical, with 岡 kang a mountain ridge as phonetic. It originally meant a rope, together, and must be carefully distinguished from 網 wang a net.
Chê see line 49.
| 54. | 君 | 臣 | 義 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are (1) the obligation between sovereign and subject, |
| | Chün$^1$ | ch'ên$^2$ | i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are (1) the obligation between sovereign and subject, |
| | Prince | Minister | duty | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are (1) the obligation between sovereign and subject, |
Chün is composed of 尹 yin to rule, with 口 k'ou mouth as ​radical; hence one whose commands are respected, a ruler. 君子 chün tzŭ is the superior or perfect man of Confucian ethics.
Ch'ên under its original form, with curved outline, is supposed to represent a Minister bending before his Prince,
As lofty lords before an Eastern throne
Bend the whole body, not the head alone.
The term has been extended to include any one ruled, a subject, which is the meaning here.
I see line 14. [The Rev. E. J. Eitel, evidently translating from an inaccurate text and reading 矣 i, gives the following most forlorn rendering:—"As to the three social regulators or rather that-which-constitutes them Consists of (the following relationships: There is first that of) the prince with his officials indeed."]
| 55. | 父 | 子 | 親 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | (2) the love between father and child, |
| | Fu$^4$ | tzŭ$^3$ | ch'in$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | (2) the love between father and child, |
| | Father | child | love | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | (2) the love between father and child, |
Fu see line 18.
Tzŭ see line 11.
Ch'in see line 31. Eitel translates by "intimacy," which is not adequate here.
| 56. | 夫 | 婦 | 順 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | (3) the harmony between husband and wife. |
| | Fu$^1$ | fu$^4$ | shun$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | (3) the harmony between husband and wife. |
| | Man | wife | harmony | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | (3) the harmony between husband and wife. |
Fu is composed, like Heaven (line 50) of 一 i one and 大 ta great, and seems to have formerly indicated men of exceptional character. It is now used for husband. Read fu$^2$ = now, forasmuch as, etc.
Fu is composed of 女 nü woman as radical and 帚 chou a broom, and is emblematical of the duties of a wife.
Shun is composed of 頁 yeh head as radical, with 川 ch'uan flowing water as phonetic, and gives the idea of floating ​smoothly down the stream. [Eitel wrongly makes the bond one-sided, "And finally, there are husband and wife, the latter in submission."]
| 57. | 曰 | 春 | 夏 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of spring and summer, |
| | Yüeh$^4$ | ch'un$^1$ | hsia$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of spring and summer, |
| | Speak | spring | summer | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of spring and summer, |
Yüeh under its old form was supposed to represent breath issuing from the mouth, q.d. speech.
Ch'un is composed of 日 jih sun as radical, and a contraction in which 艸 ts'ao vegetation was once conspicuous. It is also used figuratively in the sense of joyous, pleasant.
Hsia is a contraction of 頁 yeh head, an obsolete word for hands, and an obsolete radical which is here said to refer to the feet. It originally meant an inhabitant of the Middle Kingdom, probably from the name of a dynasty which ruled China from B.C. 2205 to B.C. 1818.
| 58. | 曰 | 秋 | 冬 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of autumn and winter. |
| | Yüeh$^4$ | ch'iu$^1$ | tung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of autumn and winter. |
| | Speak | autumn | winter | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of autumn and winter. |
Yüeh see line 57.
Ch'iu is composed of 禾 ho grain, as radical, and 火 huo fire, suggesting the sense of harvest-time.
Tung is composed of 冫 ping an old word for ice, now used as a radical, and a contraction of 終 chung end, sc. the end of the year when ice comes. The modern word for ice is 冰 ping, formed by the simple addition of water (line 65).
| 59. | 此 | 四 | 時 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These four seasons |
| | Tz'ŭ$^3$ | ssŭ$^4$ | shih$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These four seasons |
| | This | four | time | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These four seasons |
Tz'ŭ is composed of 止 chih to stop, under which radical it is ​now classed, and 匕 pi a spoon. It originally meant to stop; and from this sense of arrestation it is an easy transition to the modern demonstrative value of the character. See line 273.
Ssŭ see title.
Shih see line 30.
| 60. | 運 | 不 | 窮 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | revolve without ceasing. |
| | Yün$^4$ | pu$^1$ | ch'iung$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | revolve without ceasing. |
| | Revolve | not | exhaust | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | revolve without ceasing. |
Yün is composed of the walking radical with 軍 chün military as phonetic. The latter is a corruption of 車 ch'ê or chü a chariot, and 勹 pao to enclose (under the old form it completely surrounds the chariot), suggesting a military encampment. Yün was originally pronounced wên, as still in the Canton dialect, and meant to change one's abode, to transport. Later on, from change it came to mean luck, fortune.
Pu see line 5.
Ch'iung is composed of 穴 hsüeh a cave as radical, over 躬 kung body as phonetic. It originally meant extreme, limit; and later, without resource, poor.
| 61. | 曰 | 南 | 北 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of north and south, |
| | Yüeh$^4$ | nan$^2$ | pei$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of north and south, |
| | Speak | south | north | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of north and south, |
Yüeh see line 57.
Nan is composed of an old word meaning abundant vegetation (q.d. the south), with 羊 yang sheep inserted as phonetic. It is now classed under radical 十 shih ten (line 45). The south is the standard point, as the north with us, of the mariner's compass, which has been known to the Chinese since the 12th cent. A.D., and is said to have been developed from a legendary "south-pointing chariot" given to tribute-bearing envoys from Tongking ​more than a thousand years B.C. Chinese houses are as far as possible duly oriented, facing the south. See line 230.
Pei was originally composed of two men, back to back. How it came to mean north is not clear. It is now classed under radical 匕 pi a spoon.
| 62. | 曰 | 西 | 東 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of east and west. |
| | Yüeh$^4$ | hsi$^1$ | tung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of east and west. |
| | Speak | west | east | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of east and west. |
Yüeh see line 57.
Hsi was originally composed of a bird roosting on a tree, which was thought sufficient to suggest the time for roosting when the sun is in the western sky; hence, by an aphetic process on a gigantic scale, the west. It is now classed under radical 襾 hsia to cover.
Tung is explained as 日 jih the sun among the 木 mu trees as radical (lines 52, 66). The east is the place of honour, and 東家 tung chia is the master of a house (line 192). The phrase 東西 tung hsi east-west means a thing, and it is an insult to say that a man is not a thing, implying that he is only raw material.
| 63. | 此 | 四 | 方 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These four points |
| | Tz'ŭ$^3$ | ssŭ$^4$ | fang$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These four points |
| | This | four | square | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These four points |
Tz'ŭ see line 59.
Ssŭ see title.
Fang see line 14.
| 64. | 應 | 乎 | 中 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | respond to the requirements of the centre. |
| | Ying$^4$ | hu$^2$ | chung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | respond to the requirements of the centre. |
| | Answer | to | middle | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | respond to the requirements of the centre. |
Ying is composed of 心 hsin heart as radical, with an old form ​of 鷹 ying a falcon as phonetic. It means to respond, as to a call for services, etc. Read ying$^1$ it means ought, proper.
Hu is composed of 兮 hsi an emphatic particle, with 丿 p'ieh (obsolete) as radical. It is defined as "language surplus" or expletive, is an interrogative particle, and has also several prepositional values.
Chung is an obvious ideogram, classed under the obsolete radical 丨 kun to pass through. Read chung$^4$ it means to middle, i.e. to hit the middle, to attain.
[The above two lines have met with severe treatment at the hands of translators. Bridgman (1836) gave, "These are four points, which tend towards the centre;" Julien (1864), "These four sides of the world correspond to the centre of the earth;" Zottoli (1879), "Istae quatuor orae respondent cum centro;" finally Eitel (1892), "These are the four regions in mutual correspondence with regard to the centre." The idea however, according to the commentary, is simply this. The earth is the centre of the universe; the four points of the compass are associated with the four seasons, and, so to speak, supply these as required. At the same time it is difficult to escape from the belief that the real meaning of this line is "occupy fixed positions as regards any given centre," i.e. "fix the orientation around any given origin."]
| 65. | 曰 | 水 | 火 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of water, fire, |
| | Yüeh$^4$ | shui$^3$ | huo$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of water, fire, |
| | Speak | water | fire | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of water, fire, |
Yüeh see line 57.
Shui originally meant level. It is a picture of flowing water; it influences the north, and is the name assigned to the planet Mercury. It usually appears in composition as 氵 on the left.
​Huo is a picture of flames; it influences the south, and is the name assigned to Mars. When at the bottom of a character, in combination, it is expressed by four dots (lines 13, 77).
| 66. | 木 | 金 | 土 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wood, metal, and earth. |
| | Mu$^4$ | chin$^1$ | t'u$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wood, metal, and earth. |
| | Wood | metal | earth | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wood, metal, and earth. |
Mu was originally written with the horizontal line bent upwards at each end; it was thus a picture of branches in the air and roots in the ground. It influences the east, and is the name assigned to the planet Jupiter.
Chin is composed of 土 t'u earth, with two lumps inserted to represent ore, and 今 chin now, present, which gives the sound. It is specially the yellow metal, which knows no defilement and may be melted again and again without losing weight, q.d. gold. It is also commonly used to mean silver, as in money calculations in which gold does not appear. It influences the west, and is the name assigned to the planet Venus.
T'u is supposed to be a picture of plants springing from the soil. It is the name assigned to the planet Saturn.
| 67. | 此 | 五 | 行 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These five elements |
| | Tz'ŭ$^3$ | wu$^3$ | hsing$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These five elements |
| | This | five | operate | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These five elements |
Tz'ŭ see line 59.
Wu see line 15.
Hsing is supposed to represent two steps, the three strokes on the left being a step with the left foot, known as the double-man radical (line 273), and those on the right a step with the right foot. It means to walk, to act, to operate. Read hsing$^4$ it means conduct; and read hang$^2$, a row, a series, from which is taken the word hong, a place of business. ​
| 68. | 本 | 乎 | 數 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | have their origin in number. |
| | Pên$^3$ | hu$^2$ | shu$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | have their origin in number. |
| | Root | in | number | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | have their origin in number. |
Pên see line 2.
Hu see line 64.
Shu see line 43.
[For the above two lines Père Zottoli has, "Ista quinque elementa fundamentum sunt pro numeratione rerum," with the following gloss, "Siquidem omnia ex his conflantur, et sic constituitur numerabilis individuorum series." In other words he makes number spring from the elements instead of the elements from number. But what becomes of 乎, which has clearly a prepositional value, as in line 64? Eitel has, "These are the five mutable-elements, radically related with regard to the numerical proportions (of the cosmos)," which would seem to be less available, for tutorial purposes, than the original text. The meaning however is that in the beginning there was One (lines 45, 50). This divided itself into Two, and these forces, known as male and female, positive and negative, heaven and earth, light and darkness, produced the five elements which inform all creation. Heaven is said to have begun by producing water, Earth followed with fire, Heaven with wood, Earth with metal, and lastly Heaven produced earth (soil). Then water began to produce wood, wood to produce fire, fire to produce earth (ashes), earth (soil) to produce metal, metal to produce water, and so on. All this time water was destroying fire, fire was destroying metal, metal was destroying wood, wood was destroying earth, and earth was destroying water, in an endless chain.] ​
| 69. | 曰 | 仁 | 義 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of charity of heart and of duty towards one's neighbour, |
| | Yüeh$^4$ | jen$^2$ | i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of charity of heart and of duty towards one's neighbour, |
| | Speak | charity | duty | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of charity of heart and of duty towards one's neighbour, |
Yüeh see line 57.
Jen is composed of 人 jen man and 二 êrh two, and is defined as love. This was explained in the tenth century A.D. to mean love for one's two neighbours (line 10). Its ethical sense is an inward and spiritual love for all mankind, of which 義 i is the outward and visible manifestation. Charity, in the theological sense, seems to be the best rendering; love, which has been substituted for charity in the Revised Version of the New Testament, is wanted for more general purposes. Zottoli has "pietas."
I see lines 14, 240.
| 70. | 禮 | 智 | 信 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | of propriety, of wisdom, and of truth. |
| | Li$^3$ | chih$^4$ | hsin$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | of propriety, of wisdom, and of truth. |
| | Propriety | wisdom | truth | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | of propriety, of wisdom, and of truth. |
Li see line 32.
Chih is composed of 知 chih to know (line 28) as phonetic, above 日 jih the sun as radical, being a corruption or contraction of an earlier and more complicated form which is explained as knowledge of language.
Hsin was originally composed of 言 yen words as radical, with 心 hsin heart on the right, giving a more satisfactory ideogram of truth than the modern form, which is classed under radical 人 jen man.
| 71. | 此 | 五 | 常 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These five virtues |
| | Tz'ŭ$^3$ | wu$^3$ | ch'ang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These five virtues |
| | This | five | constant | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These five virtues |
Tz'ŭ see line 59.
Wu see line 15.
​Ch'ang, which is also read shang, is composed of shang (line 270) as phonetic, and 巾 chin a cloth, a towel, as radical. It means constant, long-enduring, something which is always present even though obscured by neglect. The term virtue is our nearest equivalent to the extended sense.
| 72. | 不 | 容 | 紊 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | admit of no compromise. |
| | Pu$^1$ | jung$^2$ | wên$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | admit of no compromise. |
| | Not | contain | tangle | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | admit of no compromise. |
Pu see line 5.
Jung is composed of radical 宀 mien meaning a covered place, a room, and 谷 ku a valley. It means to hold, to contain,—a property both of rooms and valleys, says a native philologer,—and by extension to tolerate.
Wên is composed of 文 wên streaks (line 44) as phonetic, with 糹ssŭ, silk as radical. It signifies confusion such as that of a tangled skein, but something more is required to bring out the sense, which is that no one can be allowed to shirk the practice of the five virtues in however trifling a degree. Julien has, "These cardinal virtues must not be confounded (disturbed in their order);" Père Zottoli, "ista quinque officia non patiuntur perturbari;" and Eitel, "These are the five constant factors of morality, which do not admit of any confusion." All three renderings are obviously inadequate.
| 73. | 稻 | 粱 | 菽 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Rice, spiked millet, pulse, |
| | Tao$^4$ | liang$^2$ | shu$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Rice, spiked millet, pulse, |
| | Rice | spiked-millet | pulse | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Rice, spiked millet, pulse, |
Tao is composed of 禾 ho grain and a common phonetic. It was anciently applied to glutinous rice, but is now used of common rice.
Liang is composed of 米 mi rice as radical, below a contraction of 粱 liang (line 228) as phonetic. It is the millet of north China, ​"distinguished from the panicled millet by its long and dense compound spikes." Bretschneider.
Shu is composed of 艸 ts'ao vegetation, with 叔 shu, originally to gather, now a father's younger brother, as phonetic. It is "a collective name for leguminous plants and their seeds." Bretschneider.
| 74. | 麥 | 黍 | 稷 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wheat, glutinous millet, and common millet. |
| | Mai$^4$ | shu$^3$ | chi$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wheat, glutinous millet, and common millet. |
| | Wheat | glutinous-millet | common-millet | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wheat, glutinous millet, and common millet. |
Mai is composed of 來 lai to come, over an obsolete radical 夊 sui to walk slowly, and is now itself a radical. It is subdivided into 大 ta mai barley, and 小 hsiao mai wheat.
Shu is composed of 禾 ho grain, with a contraction of 雨 yü rain as phonetic. It is specially mentioned as being sticky, and is said to have been called shu because it was planted during the 大暑 ta shu great heat. It is now a radical.
Chi is composed of 禾 ho grain and a phonetic associated with husbandry, as might be inferred from its composition. It is called the chief of the five grains.
[Shu and chi are said by the Chinese to be varieties, the former having glutinous seeds, of the common millet. However Dr. Hance and other competent botanists "were not able to make out any botanical difference between the two." Bretschneider.]
| 75. | 此 | 六 | 穀 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These six grains |
| | Tz'ŭ$^3$ | liu$^4$ | ku$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These six grains |
| | This | six | grain | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These six grains |
Tz'ŭ see line 59.
Liu is composed of 八 pa eight (line 88) below the old pictorial form of 上 shang above, which was anciently represented by a line above a line (line 192). It is the number of change, the female numbers ​(see title) strengthening at six to reach their climacteric at eight, and is now classed under radical 一 i one.
Ku is composed of 禾 ho grain as radical, and a phonetic. It stands for cereals in general, and comes to have such meanings as alive, happy, which are apparently based upon the possession of grain.
| 76. | 人 | 所 | 食 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are those which men eat. |
| | Jen$^2$ | so$^3$ | shih$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are those which men eat. |
| | Man | what | eat | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are those which men eat. |
Jen see line 1.
So see line 22.
Shih, the composition of which is disputed, seems to have originally meant a grain of rice. It is now a radical, and read ssŭ$^4$ it means food. [The commentary points out that the six grains mentioned must be held to include all the varieties which fall under each head.]
| 77. | 馬 | 牛 | 羊 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The horse, the ox, the sheep, |
| | Ma$^3$ | niu$^2$ | yang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The horse, the ox, the sheep, |
| | Horse | ox | sheep | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The horse, the ox, the sheep, |
Ma is one of the stock pictures in the Chinese written language. The four dots, elsewhere used for 火 huo fire (line 65), are of course the legs. They also do duty for the legs and wings of 鳥 niao a bird, and for the fins of 魚 yü a fish. It is now a radical.
Niu was also a picture character under its old form, which may be produced by removing the dash at the left-hand top corner and turning up the ends of the upper horizontal so as to resemble horns. See line 340.
Yang stands in the north for sheep; in the south it is more widely applied to the goat, also known as 山羊 shan yang mountain sheep. Confucius declared that niu and yang were both words formed after the likeness of the object intended. See line 14. ​
| 78. | 鷄 | 犬 | 豕 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the fowl, the dog, the pig. |
| | Chi$^1$ | ch'üan$^3$ | shih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the fowl, the dog, the pig. |
| | Fowl | dog | pig | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the fowl, the dog, the pig. |
Chi is composed of 鳥 niao bird as radical, with 奚 hsi how? why? as phonetic. It is also written 雞, and is described as the bird which knows the time (line 334).
Ch'üan seems to have greatly impressed Confucius. He said it was a perfect picture of the animal, meaning of course the old form.
Shih is another picture, which likewise leaves much to the imagination, although bristles, feet, and tail are said to stand out distinctly.
| 79. | 此 | 六 | 畜 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These six animals |
| | Tz'ŭ$^3$ | liu$^4$ | ch'u$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These six animals |
| | This | six | keep | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These six animals |
Tz'ŭ see line 59.
Liu see line 75.
Ch'u is composed of 玄 hsüan black, dark, mysterious (line 94), an epithet often applied to 天 t'ien the sky, and 田 t'ien cultivated fields, i.e. the black fields which nourish us. [Cf. Eurip. Bacchæ, μέλαν πέδον the black plain; Homer Il. ῥεε δ'αἵματι γαῖα μέλαινα, etc. In connection with the Greek μέλας, comparison may also be made with the Chinese 青 ch'ing (lines 84, 180), both being applied to the sky, water, etc.] It means to feed, to nourish, to keep as animals; hence, brute beasts.
| 80. | 人 | 所 | 飼 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are those which men keep. |
| | Jen$^2$ | so$^3$ | ssŭ$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are those which men keep. |
| | Man | which | feed | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are those which men keep. |
Jen see line 1.
So see line 22.
​Ssŭ is composed of 食 shih to eat (line 76) as radical, and 司 ssŭ to manage as phonetic (line 334). [For eight extra lines which in some editions are inserted here, see Appendix I.]
| 81. | 曰 | 喜 | 怒 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of joy, of anger, |
| | Yüeh$^4$ | hsi$^3$ | nu$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of joy, of anger, |
| | Speak | joy | anger | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of joy, of anger, |
Yüeh see line 57.
Hsi is composed of 口 k'ou mouth as radical and an obsolete word associated with joy. It appears in the Shuo Wên as a radical.
Nu is composed of 心 hsin heart as radical and 奴 nu slave as phonetic.
| 82. | 曰 | 哀 | 懼 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of pity, of fear, |
| | Yüeh$^4$ | ai$^1$ | chü$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of pity, of fear, |
| | Speak | pity | fear | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of pity, of fear, |
Yüeh see line 57.
Ai is composed of 衣 i clothes with 口 k'ou mouth inserted in the middle as radical. This is a common arrangement (lines 38, 161). Eitel wrongly renders by "grief."
Chü is composed of 心 hsin heart as radical, with a phonetic made up of two 目 mu eyes over 隹 chui a short-tailed bird. The phonetic originally meant the glance of a kite, which would excite fear; hence it came to mean timid, and was probably used in early times without its present radical. One old form was two 目 mu eyes over 心 hsin heart. Some cheap editions erroneously read 樂 lo; hence Eitel's rendering "pleasure."
| 83. | 愛 | 惡 | 欲 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | of love, of hate, and of desire. |
| | Ai$^4$ | wu$^4$ | yü$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | of love, of hate, and of desire. |
| | Love | hate | desire | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | of love, of hate, and of desire. |
Ai was originally composed of 夊 sui to walk slowly as radical, ​with a phonetic made up of 旡 above 心, which phonetic was an independent and still earlier word meaning to love. It is now classed under radical 心 hsin heart, and answers to the French aimer, being used either in the sense of to love or to like.
Wu was originally written 亞 (now ya ugly, etc.), which is said to be a picture of two men bending their backs in disgust. It has several other readings, the most important being o$^4$ wicked, loathsome.
Yü is composed of 谷 ku a valley as phonetic, and 欠 ch'ien to yawn, deficient, to owe.
| 84. | 七 | 情 | 具 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the seven passions. |
| | Ch'i$^1$ | ch'ing$^2$ | chü$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the seven passions. |
| | Seven | feelings | all | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the seven passions. |
Ch'i is composed of 一 i one and 中 chung middle (corrupted), q.d. a slight trace of the Female Principle coming up in the middle and vitiating the Male Principle, seven being the numeral at which the male numbers (see title) reach perfection (line 75). It is now classed under radical 一 i one.
Ch'ing is composed of 心 hsin heart and an important phonetic 青 ch'ing, which means the colour of nature in all its varying hues (line 180). One of its common significations is circumstances or facts of a case.
Chü is composed of 貝 pei the pearl-oyster in a contracted form, and an obsolete word meaning the hands folded. It has two important senses, viz. to prepare, and all, every. For the latter, 俱 is now substituted (line 16).
| 85. | 匏 | 土 | 革 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The gourd, earthenware, skin, |
| | P'ao$^2$ | t'u$^3$ | ko$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The gourd, earthenware, skin, |
| | Gourd | earth | skin | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The gourd, earthenware, skin, |
P'ao is composed of 夸 k'ua extravagant as phonetic, with 包 pao ​to enclose as radical. The latter, which was originally a picture of the fœtus, is no longer a radical. Its place has been taken by 勹 pao, which was the picture of a man bending forward as if enfolding something. 瓜 kua melon is sometimes substituted for 夸 and takes the place of radical, the phonetic being in that case 包 pao to enclose.
T'u see line 66.
Ko means hides or skins without the hair on, parchment. The old form is said to be composed of 三十三 san shih san thirty-three, which is the number of years in a generation and the time required for a complete change of skin.
| 86. | 木 | 石 | 金 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wood, stone, metal, |
| | Mu$^4$ | shih$^4$ | chin$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wood, stone, metal, |
| | Wood | stone | metal | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wood, stone, metal, |
Mu see line 66.
Shih is regarded as the picture of an overhanging cliff, apparently with a boulder beneath it. It is used as a liquid and dry measure, representing in the latter a weight of 120 斤 catties (line 3).
Chin see line 66.
| 87. | 絲 | 與 | 竹 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | silk, and bamboo, |
| | Ssŭ$^1$ | yü$^3$ | chu$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | silk, and bamboo, |
| | Silk | and | bamboo | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | silk, and bamboo, |
Ssŭ is a duplicated form of 糸 mi or ssŭ, and originally meant ten strands of silk as spun by the silkworm (see title).
Yü is composed of 舁 yü to raise and 与 yü to give, and originally meant several; hence, together, with, and, etc. It also means to give, to bestow, and is now classed under 臼 chiu a mortar as radical (line 215).
Chu is described as a grass which grows in winter, and under its old form is regarded as a picture of the object intended. ​
| 88. | 乃 | 八 | 音 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | yield the eight musical sounds. |
| | Nai$^3$ | pa$^1$ | yin$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | yield the eight musical sounds. |
| | Then | eight | sounds | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | yield the eight musical sounds. |
Nai see line 6.
Pa is explained as to separate, to divide, being a picture of two persons separating, turned back to back (line 162). It may well have been adopted as the symbol for 8 in reference to the obvious and easy divisibility of that unit; the Chinese however occupy themselves less with its origin as a numeral than with its fanciful position, a climacteric of the female numbers (line 75).
Yin is a corruption of 言 yen words (line 118) with a stroke inserted, and means regulated noise, i.e. musical sounds. These are arranged under eight heads. The gourd furnishes such instruments as the mouth-organ, earth the ocarina, skin the drum, wood the castanet, stone the hanging musical-stone, metal the gong, silk the guitar, and bamboo the flute. [Eitel wrongly renders this line "By these then we produce the eight tones of the scala."]
| 89. | 高 | 曾 | 祖 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Great great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather, |
| | Kao$^1$ | tsêng$^1$ | tsu$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Great great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather, |
| | High | add | ancestor | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Great great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather, |
Kao is used of height in both material and immaterial senses. It is supposed to present to the eye the semblance of looking up from a terrace or belvidere, and is here an adjective qualifying tsu ancestor understood. See line 215.
Tsêng is composed of 八 pa to divide (line 88) above, and 曰 yüeh to speak (line 57) below, a middle portion which is said to be the phonetic. It is defined as a stretcher-out of language, from which we can understand its sense of past, finished, especially as applied to time, thus imparting a tense-value to ​verbs. With this meaning it is now read ts'êng$^2$, while read tsêng$^1$ as above it means to add to, and here qualifies another tsu, understood. It is also a common surname (line 128), and is now classed under radical 曰 yüeh.
Tsu is composed of 示 shih, which is supposed to represent divine commands sent down from heaven, and 且 ch'ieh, which originally meant to set forth in sacrifice, q.d. worship of ancestors (see line 274). [The line runs, High-ancestor, add-ancestor, and ancestor, the last of which is here narrowed down to grandfather, in colloquial 祖父 tsu fu.
| 90. | 父 | 而 | 身 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | father and self, |
| | Fu$^4$ | êrh$^2$ | shên$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | father and self, |
| | Father | and | body | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | father and self, |
Fu see line 18.
Erh see line 45.
Shên is regarded as a picture of the human body. It is also used in the senses of I, self.
| 91. | 身 | 而 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | self and son, |
| | Shên$^1$ | êrh$^2$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | self and son, |
| | Body | and | son | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | self and son, |
Shên see line 90.
Erh see line 45.
Tzŭ see line 11.
| 92. | 子 | 而 | 孫 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | son and grandson, |
| | Tzŭ$^3$ | êrh$^2$ | sun$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | son and grandson, |
| | Son | and | grandson | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | son and grandson, |
Tzŭ see line 11.
Erh see line 45.
Sun is composed of 子 tzŭ son and 系 hsi connected, from which ​the meaning may be obtained. It was originally classed under the latter as radical, but is now under the former, and is also a common surname.
| 93. | 自 | 子 | 孫 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | from son and grandson |
| | Tzŭ$^4$ | tzŭ$^3$ | sun$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | from son and grandson |
| | From | son | grandson | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | from son and grandson |
Tzŭ was originally a picture of the human nose, and it is still found in the ordinary word 鼻 pi a nose. Its earliest known sense seems to have been to follow; hence, from. Its later sense of self may have grown up by attraction, i.e. attraction of the self in 自己 tzŭ chi (= from self) from the chi to the tzŭ, the former being gradually dropped.
Tzŭ see line 11.
Sun see line 92.
| 94. | 至 | 元 | 曾 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | on to great grandson and great great grandson. |
| | Chih$^4$ | yüan$^2$ | tsêng$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | on to great grandson and great great grandson. |
| | Arrive | original | add | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | on to great grandson and great great grandson. |
Chih under its old form was supposed to resemble birds flying downwards and reaching the earth. It is often used as a superlative = very, extreme.
Yüan (line 254E) is here used for 𤣥 hsüan black (line 79), a character which is taboo under the present dynasty, having been part of the personal name of the Emperor K'ang Hsi, A.D. 1662—1723. It means great great grandson, preceding tsêng merely for the jingle's sake. The son of this descendant is called 耳孫 êrh sun ear grandson, being one who can only have heard of his ancestor, not seen him.
Tsêng see line 89. ​
| 95. | 乃 | 九 | 族 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the nine agnates, |
| | Nai$^3$ | chiu$^3$ | tsu$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the nine agnates, |
| | Then | nine | agnates | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the nine agnates, |
Nai see line 6.
Chiu see line 33.
Tsu is composed of an obsolete word meaning to bend, to wave, and 矢 shih an arrow, but is now classed under radical 方 fang square (line 14). It seems to have originally meant a bundle of arrow-heads, from which it is easy to reach such meanings as clan, family. It came to be used in the sense of agnatic relatives, especially of these nine degrees, as early as the 書經 Shu Ching Canon of History (lines 135, 146).
| 96. | 人 | 之 | 倫 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | constituting the kinships of man. |
| | Jen$^2$ | chih$^1$ | lun$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | constituting the kinships of man. |
| | Man | arrive | relationship | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | constituting the kinships of man. |
Jen see line 1.
Chih see line 1. Here obviously of possessive influence.
Lun is composed of jen man as radical, and an important phonetic (see line 115) made up of an old radical 亼, now used for 集 chi collected together, and 册 ts'ê (see line 116), which phonetic means to think, to arrange. The primary sense of lun was constant, invariable; then it came to mean classes, relationships (see line 105), obligations, etc. [Eitel strangely renders this line by "which constitute mankind's determined order."]
| 97. | 父 | 子 | 恩 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Affection between father and child, |
| | Fu$^4$ | tzŭ$^3$ | ên$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Affection between father and child, |
| | Father | child | affection | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Affection between father and child, |
Fu see line 18.
Tzŭ see line 11. ​ En is composed of 心 hsin heart as radical and 因 yin cause as phonetic. It here covers the kindness of the father and the dutifulness of the child. Eitel renders it by "kindliness," which leaves out the obligation of the child.
| 98. | 夫 | 婦 | 從 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | harmony between husband and wife, |
| | Fu$^1$ | fu$^4$ | ts'ung$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | harmony between husband and wife, |
| | Man | wife | harmony | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | harmony between husband and wife, |
Fu see line 56.
Fu see line 56.
Ts'ung was originally 从 two men side by side. It meant to listen to; hence its modern significations to follow, to agree with. [Eitel again makes the blunder of applying the word ts'ung only to the wife's conduct,—"the relationship of husband and wife demanding of the latter obedience"—leaving all obligation of the husband out of the question. See line 56.]
| 99. | 兄 | 則 | 友 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | friendliness on the part of elder brothers, |
| | Hsiung$^1$ | tsê$^2$ | yu$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | friendliness on the part of elder brothers, |
| | Elder-brother | rule | friend | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | friendliness on the part of elder brothers, |
Hsiung is composed of 口 k'ou mouth over 人 jen man, and originally meant to grow.
Tsê is composed of 貝 pei the pearl-oyster and 刀 tao knife (刂 in combination). It originally meant to classify, a sense said to be derived from the shells which were used as money in early days. Thence came the meaning of rule, method, to which must be added the conjunctional senses of then, in that case, etc.
Yu see line 31.
| 100. | 弟 | 則 | 恭 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | respectfulness on the part of younger brothers, |
| | Ti$^4$ | tsê$^2$ | kung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | respectfulness on the part of younger brothers, |
| | Younger-brother | rule | respect | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | respectfulness on the part of younger brothers, |
Ti has been regarded as an altered form of 第 ti order, series, from ​which the sense of younger brother has been developed. It is also said to be the picture of a thong encircling a faggot. In colloquial, 兄弟 hsiung ti means younger brother, and 弟兄 ti hsiung means brothers. Read t'i$^4$, see line 39.
Kung is composed of 共 kung all, collectively, as phonetic, with 心 hsin heart as radical.
| 101. | 長 | 幼 | 序 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | precedence between elders and youngers, |
| | Chang$^3$ | yu$^4$ | hsü$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | precedence between elders and youngers, |
| | Grow | young | series | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | precedence between elders and youngers, |
Chang see line 39.
Yu see line 23.
Hsü is composed of 广 yen a shelter, a house, as radical, with 予 yü to give, to yield, as phonetic. It originally meant the eastern and western walls in a house, which separated the inner from the outer portions. It then came to mean a school or asylum, and also the preface to a book.
| 102. | 友 | 與 | 朋 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | as between friend and friend, |
| | Yu$^3$ | yü$^3$ | p'êng$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | as between friend and friend, |
| | Friend | with | friend | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | as between friend and friend, |
Yu see line 31.
Yü see line 87.
P'êng is composed of two 月 yüeh moons, and is explained as "those who have the same principles in conduct" (line 31). According to the Shuo Wên it is said to have been a form of 鳳 fêng phoenix, because the latter is the leader which all other birds follow. It is defined as "of the same bent," recalling the "idem velle atque idem nolle" of Cicero. The p'êng, who is here regarded as the elder, should be kindly, and the yu should be trustful. The colloquial for friend is 朋友 p'êng yu. [For the above two lines Eitel gives 長則惠, 幼則順 chang$^2$ tsê$^2$ ​hui$^4$, yu$^4$ tsê$^2$ shun$^4$, kindliness on the part of elders, submissiveness on the part of youngers, which words he rightly says are omitted in ordinary editions. But he himself omits the lines here given, which will be found in the textus receptus of 王相 Wang Hsiang and also in that of 賀興思 Ho Hsing-ssŭ.]
| 103. | 君 | 則 | 敬 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | respect on the part of the sovereign, |
| | Chün$^1$ | tsê$^2$ | ching$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | respect on the part of the sovereign, |
| | Prince | then | respect | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | respect on the part of the sovereign, |
Chün see line 54.
Tsê see line 99.
Ching is composed of the obsolete radical 攴 p'u to tap, and an obsolete character which looks like 苟 kou (line 5) but is really distinct. It means reverent; hence, the respectful attention which is due from a Prince to the representations of his Ministers and to the wishes of his subjects.
| 104. | 臣 | 則 | 忠 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | loyalty on the part of the subject. |
| | Ch'ên$^2$ | tsê$^2$ | chung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | loyalty on the part of the subject. |
| | Minister | then | loyal | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | loyalty on the part of the subject. |
Ch'ên see line 54. The scope of this character need not be restricted here, as by Eitel, to officials.
Tsê see line 99.
Chung is composed of 中 (line 64) as phonetic and 心 hsin heart as radical, from which an idea of the sense may be deduced.
| 105. | 此 | 十 | 義 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These ten obligations |
| | Tz'ŭ$^3$ | shih$^2$ | i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These ten obligations |
| | This | ten | duty | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These ten obligations |
Tz'ŭ see line 59.
Shih see line 45.
I see line 14. Père Zottoli here translates i by "relationes," which ​word he had already used for 倫 lun in line 96. [The difficulty is to make out the ten. Wang Hsiang in his commentary enumerates them as follows:—2 in line 97, 2 in 98, 1 in 99, 1 in 100, 2 in 101, 102, 1 in 103, 1 in 104, which taken in groups of two are known as the 五倫 wu lun five moral relationships of man. That is to say, he blends lines 101, 102, and extracts two obligations therefrom. Any other course is fatal. Père Zottoli assigns one obligation to elders and youngers (line 101) and one to friends (line 102). But "friends" is one of the wu lun, and requires two obligations all to itself. Eitel has only eight obligations to show, including the two spurious ones mentioned under line 102.]
| 106. | 人 | 所 | 同 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are common to all men. |
| | Jen$^2$ | so$^3$ | t'ung$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are common to all men. |
| | Man | what | together | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are common to all men. |
Jen see line 1.
So see line 22.
T'ung is composed of 口 k'ou mouth, now its radical, and an obsolete word which formerly played that part. It originally meant to come together; hence, with, same, identical, etc.
| 107. | 凡 | 訓 | 蒙 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | In the education of the young, |
| | Fan$^2$ | hsün$^4$ | mêng$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | In the education of the young, |
| | All | teach | dull | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | In the education of the young, |
Fan is composed of 二 êrh two, a pair, and an old form of 及 chi to reach, to arrive. It originally meant to embrace fully, hence all, mankind, the world, earthly, etc.; and it is now classed under radical 几 chi a table or bench. Its literal sense may be allowed to vanish here, though of course its influence remains.
Hsün is composed of 言 yen words as radical, and 川 ch'uan streams (四川 ssŭ ch'uan the province of that name) as phonetic. ​ Mêng is composed of 艸 ts'ao vegetation and an important phonetic. It was originally defined as 王女 wang nü prince's daughter, a name for wistaria, and came to mean in the dark, dull, stupid, the young, and then to teach. [Père Zottoli wrongly renders by "Quicumque instruit rudes." For Eitel, see line 110.]
| 108. | 須 | 講 | 究 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | there should be explanation and elucidation, |
| | Hsü$^1$ | chiang$^3$ | chiu$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | there should be explanation and elucidation, |
| | Must | explain | investigate | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | there should be explanation and elucidation, |
Hsü is composed of 頁 yeh head as radical and 彡 shan hair, feathers. It was formerly a radical and a picture of whiskers or beard, which was its original meaning; hence the modern 鬚 hsü a beard. It appears to have been phonetically borrowed to express a word hsü to want, need, etc., and has now given up its sense of hair on the face to the more complicated modern character. Is often incorrectly written 湏.
Chiang is composed of 言 yen words with a phonetic which governs a larger group of characters pronounced like itself kou.
Chiu is composed of 穴 hsüeh a cave as radical with 九 chiu nine as phonetic. It is also used in the sense of judicial examination. [The phrase chiang chiu further means to analyse; to reject the coarse and take the fine; to be particular about, etc.]
| 109. | 詳 | 訓 | 詁 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | careful teaching of the interpretations of commentators, |
| | Hsiang$^2$ | hsün$^4$ | ku$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | careful teaching of the interpretations of commentators, |
| | Minute | teach | research | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | careful teaching of the interpretations of commentators, |
Hsiang is composed of 言 yen words as radical and 羊 yang sheep as phonetic. It means to go into small details, to describe.
Hsün see line 107.
Ku is composed of 言 yen words as radical and 古 ku ancient (see line 261) as phonetic. It means to trace out original sources; hence, to adduce evidence in support of an interpretation, etc. ​
| 110. | 明 | 句 | 讀 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | due attention to paragraphs and sentences. |
| | Ming$^2$ | chü$^4$ | tou$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | due attention to paragraphs and sentences. |
| | Clear | paragraph | sentence | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | due attention to paragraphs and sentences. |
Ming is an ideogram formed by juxtaposition of 日 jih the sun, its modern radical, and 月 yüeh the moon (line 52), and means bright.
Chü was originally composed of 口 k'ou mouth and 丩 chiu to connect as phonetic, and meant crooked. It was pronounced chü and kou, for the latter sound 勾 being substituted later on, with diverging meanings. It is now classed under radical 勹 (line 85).
Tou is more commonly tu$^2$ to read, to study. See line 134. [To mark off the proper paragraphs and sentences is one of the functions of a teacher in China, all punctuation being usually omitted from classical works such as the Canon. Eitel has a strange rendering of the above four lines. "Now in all cases, when instruction is given to the ignorant, Although it is well to explain characters orally and exhaustively, Yet, detailed moral instruction in the sayings of the ancients is just as necessary as precision regarding syntactic punctuation."]
| 111. | 為 | 學 | 者 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Those who are learners |
| | Wei$^2$ | hsüeh$^2$ | chê$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Those who are learners |
| | Be | learn | one | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Those who are learners |
Wei see line 24.
Hsüeh see line 11.
Chê see line 49.
| 112. | 必 | 有 | 初 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | must have a beginning. |
| | Pi$^4$ | yu$^3$ | ch'u$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | must have a beginning. |
| | Must | have | beginning | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | must have a beginning. |
Pi is composed of 八 pa to divide (line 88), its old radical, and 弋 i a sharpened stake, to shoot with a bow, as phonetic. It ​originally meant division to the uttermost limit, from which it is possible to obtain a glimmering of the modern sense of necessity.
Yu see line 14.
Ch'u see line 1.
| 113. | 小 | 學 | 終 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Little Learning finished, |
| | Hsiao$^3$ | hsüeh$^2$ | chung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Little Learning finished, |
| | Small | learn | end | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Little Learning finished, |
Hsiao is said to be composed of 八 pa to divide (line 88), with a vertical line in the middle representing unity (line 30); hence, minute.
Hsüeh see line 11.
Chung is composed of 系 ssŭ silk as radical and 冬 tung winter (lines 58, 178) as phonetic. It was originally written without the radical silk; in other words, tung winter, the end of the year, was made to do duty for chung end. The latter character, as it stands, is explained in the Shuo Wên as 絿絲, and the point is further obscured by the definition of 絿 in the same work, namely = 急 chi flurried, wrongly rendered "remiss" by Dr. Legge in his translation of the Odes, p. 641. [The Little Learning is the name of an elementary treatise compiled by the famous classical commentator 朱熙 Chu Hsi, A.D. 1130—1200 (line 127). Eitel has here the "Filial Piety Classic" (line 131) instead of the Little Learning, as given in the best editions. The latter title is now in general use among foreigners, though the Chinese really means "Learning for the Young."]
| 114. | 至 | 四 | 書 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | they proceed to the Four Books. |
| | Chih$^4$ | ssŭ$^4$ | shu$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | they proceed to the Four Books. |
| | Reach | four | book | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | they proceed to the Four Books. |
Chih see line 94.
Ssŭ see title and line 37. ​ Shu was originally composed of 聿 lü or yü a stylus (line 124), with 者 chê (line 49) as phonetic, and meant to make known. This was subsequently contracted to the modern character and classed under 曰 yüeh to speak as radical. [The Four Books form the first portion of the Confucian Canon and are learnt by heart by all candidates who hope to do anything at the public examinations. They are enumerated in lines 115—130. See also line 135.]
| 115. | 論 | 語 | 者 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | There is the Lun Yü, |
| | Lun$^4$ | yü$^3$ | chê$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | There is the Lun Yü, |
| | Discuss | speech | one | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | There is the Lun Yü, |
Lun is composed of 言 yen words and an important phonetic (lines 96, 116).
Yü is composed of 言 yen words as radical, and 吾 wu I (吾 wu five and 口 k'ou mouth) as phonetic, and means talk.
Chê see line 49. [The Lun Yü, Discourses or Analects, contains practically all we really know of the sayings and doings of Confucius. It is ascribed by the Chinese to the immediate disciples of the Sage.]
| 116. | 二 | 十 | 篇 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | in twenty sections. |
| | Erh$^4$ | shih$^2$ | p'ien$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | in twenty sections. |
| | Two | ten | tablet | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | in twenty sections. |
Erh is the number of earth, though in 五 wu five (line 15) it is made to do duty for heaven and earth. It is the first of the female numbers, and represents the mating of 一 i one. See title and line 45.
Shih see line 45.
P'ien is composed of 竹 chu bamboo (line 87) as radical, with 扁 pien flat as phonetic. It means the flat bamboo tablet on which books were written with a stylus (line 124) before the ​invention of the hair brush, and is now used either of a section or of a single leaf of a book. [Pien flat is composed of 戶 hu the leaf of a door (line 22), and 册 ts'ê the tablets of authority granted to the feudal nobles, formerly written with five verticals, here regarded as tablets bearing inscriptions such as are seen at the entrance to a public office. It originally meant a public office, which idea can be readily deduced from gate and tablets as above. Of course there must have been a sound pien meaning flat long before there was a character meaning office; so that the gate-and-tablets must have been called pien because of flatness, rather than that pien could have extended its meaning from gates and tablets to anything flat.]
| 117. | 群 | 弟 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | In this, the various disciples |
| | Ch'ün$^2$ | ti$^4$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | In this, the various disciples |
| | Flock | younger-brother | child | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | In this, the various disciples |
Ch'ün is composed of 羊 yang sheep as radical, with 君 chün prince (line 54) as phonetic. It is the common term for a flock of sheep, a crowd of people, etc.
Ti see line 100.
Tzŭ see line 11. Ti tzŭ is a compound term meaning disciples. [Eitel strangely translates, "Wherein, however, the whole of the disciples and philosophers." But ch'ün cannot be pressed to mean whole (= all), and tzŭ has here nothing to do with philosophers. Père Zottoli too has "omnes discipuli."]
| 118. | 記 | 善 | 言 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | have recorded the wise sayings of Confucius. |
| | Chi$^4$ | shan$^4$ | yen$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | have recorded the wise sayings of Confucius. |
| | Record | virtuous | words | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | have recorded the wise sayings of Confucius. |
Chi is composed of 言 yen words as radical with 己 i already (line 328) as phonetic. It originally meant to state, and now means to record, to remember. ​ Shan see line 2.
Yen is a common radical, attached to characters connected in any way with speech. Under its old form, the upper lines seem to issue from 口 k'ou mouth. [Confucius is of course understood.]
| 119. | 孟 | 子 | 者 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The works of Mencius |
| | Mêng$^4$ | tzŭ$^2$ | chê$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The works of Mencius |
| | Mêng | philosopher | one | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The works of Mencius |
Mêng see line 9.
Tzŭ see line 11.
Chê see line 49.
| 120. | 七 | 篇 | 止 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are comprised in seven sections. |
| | Ch'i$^1$ | p'ien$^1$ | chih$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are comprised in seven sections. |
| | Seven | slip | stop | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are comprised in seven sections. |
Ch'i see line 84.
P'ien see line 116.
Chih originally meant a base or foundation, and later the foot. It is now commonly used in the sense of only, derived from to stop.
[It is absurd to say, as Eitel does, that the works of Mencius "consist of seven sections only," the comparison being with the Lun Yü in twenty sections, since the former work is nearly twice the length of the latter. Another view is that Mencius' works end with the 7th section, as if more had been intended; but it is really quite unnecessary to press chih for any special value except that of jingle. Père Zottoli's command of Latin here stands him in good stead:—Mentsii liber septem capitibus absolvitur.]
| 121. | 講 | 道 | 德 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These explain the WAY and the exemplification thereof, |
| | Chiang$^3$ | tao$^4$ | tê$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These explain the WAY and the exemplification thereof, |
| | Explain | way | exemplification | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These explain the WAY and the exemplification thereof, |
Chiang see line 108.
Tao see line 7. The WAY here is of course that of Confucius. ​ Tê is composed of the double-man radical (line 67), with a phonetic. It seems to have originally meant a dry measure holding about a pint. It was used for 得 tê to get, to attain; and it is just possible that from the sense of attainment, achievement, it came to mean the exemplification of virtue in good works. [Its phonetic is a corruption of 直 chih upright and 心 hsin heart, and is explained by "the external is obtained from others, the internal from oneself."]
| 122. | 說 | 仁 | 義 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and expound charity and duty towards one's neighbour. |
| | Shuo$^1$ | jen$^2$ | i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and expound charity and duty towards one's neighbour. |
| | Expound | charity | duty | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and expound charity and duty towards one's neighbour. |
Shuo is composed of 言 yen words as radical, and 兌 tui which originally meant to speak, and now means to weigh, as phonetic. Its earliest meaning was to expound; now it is the common colloquial word for speak. Also read shui$^4$ and yüeh; see line 206.
Jen see line 69.
I see line 14.
| 123. | 作 | 中 | 庸 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Chung Yung was written |
| | Tso$^4$ | chung$^1$ | yung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Chung Yung was written |
| | Make | middle | course | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Chung Yung was written |
Tso is composed of 人 jen man as radical, and 乍 cha which originally meant to stop, and now means suddenly, etc. It covers all kinds of doing and making, even to writing a book (lines 153, 326). [The Peking dialect, here as elsewhere, fails to exhibit the true phonetic. Cha should be tsa.]
Chung see line 64.
Yung is composed of 庚 kêng to change, as phonetic, with 用 yung to use, as radical, which in turn was composed of 卜 pu to divine and 中 chung the middle. "Get your middle," says one luminary of the 1st cent. A.D., a not unworthy prototype of the famous Mrs. Glasse, "and then you can use it." It originally ​meant to use; hence the method to be used or followed, a course. [The Chung Yung is a short philosophical treatise in one section of thirty-three chapters. Its title has been rendered by Legge as The Doctrine of the Mean, by Julien as L'Invariable Milieu.]
| 124. | 子 | 思 | 筆 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | by the pen of Tzŭ-ssŭ; |
| | Tzŭ$^3$ | ssŭ$^1$ | pi$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | by the pen of Tzŭ-ssŭ; |
| | Tzŭ | ssŭ | brush | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | by the pen of Tzŭ-ssŭ; |
Tzŭ see line 11.
Ssŭ is composed of 心 hsin heart, the seat of intelligence, as radical, below an old word (not 田 t'ien fields) for the crown of the head, the fontanelle, and originally meant perspicacity. Read ssŭ$^4$ it means thoughts; read sai$^1$ the jowl. [Tzŭ-ssŭ was the style of 孔伋 K'ung Chi, grandson of Confucius.]
Pi is composed of 竹 chu bamboo, its modern radical, and 聿 lü or yü a stylus, the old radical, the latter being used to scratch characters on bamboo tablets until the invention of the brush which has been assigned to the 3rd cent. B.C. [In some editions this line reads 乃孔伋, nai k'ung chi, with the same meaning.]
| 125. | 中 | 不 | 偏 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Chung (the middle) being that which does not lean towards any side, |
| | Chung$^1$ | pu$^1$ | p'ien$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Chung (the middle) being that which does not lean towards any side, |
| | Middle | not | deflected | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Chung (the middle) being that which does not lean towards any side, |
Chung see line 64.
Pu see line 5.
P'ien is composed of 人 jen man as radical, with 扁 pien flat as phonetic. See line 116.
| 126. | 庸 | 不 | 易 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Yung (the course) being that which cannot be changed. |
| | Yung$^1$ | pu$^1$ | i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Yung (the course) being that which cannot be changed. |
| | Course | not | change | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Yung (the course) being that which cannot be changed. |
Yung see line 123. ​ Pu see line 5.
I is composed of 日 jih sun as radical and 勿 wu, which originally meant a kind of flag with three streamers for signalling, and so came to signify a negative, not, do not. Its primary sense seems to have been a chameleon, the creature of change, of which the character is thought by some to be a picture; hence its meaning as above, derived however by others from the radical sun, which brings about the changes of day and night. Here again the question discussed in line 116 arises. Was the word i change developed from the idea suggested by i a chameleon, or was the animal so called from a pre-existing word i to change? It would seem that the spoken word change must have preceded chameleon, and that the written character may well have been applied first to the animal and then to the idea. See also line 135. [The aim of the Chung Yung is to trace the ruling motives of human conduct from their psychological source. It originally formed § 31 of the Book of Rites (line 136), being taken thence to form one of the Four Books by Chu Hsi (line 113).]
| 127. | 作 | 大 | 學 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He who wrote The Great Learning |
| | Tso$^4$ | ta$^4$ | hsüeh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He who wrote The Great Learning |
| | Make | great | learn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He who wrote The Great Learning |
Tso see line 123.
Ta under one of its old forms looked very like the rude picture of a man. This gave rise to the following explanation:—Heaven is great, earth is great, and man too is great; therefore great is a picture of man.
Hsüeh see line 11. [The Great Learning is Legge's translation of the title of a short treatise which teaches us "to illustrate virtue, to renovate the people, and to rest in the highest excellence." It is now the recognised rendering (Père Zottoli "magna scientia," ​Eitel “Great Learning”), although the term really means “Learning for Adults,” in which sense it was understood by the author of The Little Learning (line 113).]
| 128. | 乃 | 曾 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was the philosopher Tsêng. |
| | Nai$^3$ | tsêng$^1$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was the philosopher Tsêng. |
| | That | Tsêng | philosopher | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was the philosopher Tsêng. |
Nai see line 6.
Tsêng see line 89.
Tzŭ see line 11. [This philosopher was 曾參 Tsêng Ts'an, vulg. Tsêng Shên, one of the most famous of the disciples of Confucius, B.C. 505—437. But it is by no means certain that he wrote The Great Learning, which was originally § 42 of the Book of Rites (line 136), being taken thence to form one of the Four Books by Chu Hsi (line 113).]
| 129. | 自 | 修 | 齊 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Beginning with cultivation of the individual and ordering of the family, |
| | Tzŭ$^4$ | hsiu$^1$ | ch'i$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Beginning with cultivation of the individual and ordering of the family, |
| | From | cultivate | order | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Beginning with cultivation of the individual and ordering of the family, |
Tzŭ see line 93.
Hsiu is composed of 彡 shan feather ornamentation as radical, with 攸 yu to move in water, as phonetic. It means to embellish, to repair, and has been classed by K'ang Hsi under radical 人 jen man, though its congener 脩 hsiu dried meat, salary of teachers, appears correctly under radical 肉 (月 in combination) jou meat. The character 身 shên (line 90) is here understood from the text of The Great Learning, which Dr. Legge renders by "the person;" but this is ambiguous, and destroys the numerical climax.
Ch'i originally meant the level of growing corn, of which the old form was a picture; hence to level, to regulate. The word 家 chia family (line 192) is here understood as above. ​
| 130. | 至 | 平 | 治 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | it goes on to government of one's own State and tranquillisation of the Empire. |
| | Chih$^4$ | p'ing$^2$ | chih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | it goes on to government of one's own State and tranquillisation of the Empire. |
| | Arrive | balance | govern | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | it goes on to government of one's own State and tranquillisation of the Empire. |
Chih see line 94.
P'ing is composed of 于 yü (used for 於 line 35) and 八 pa to divide (line 88). It means even, smooth, etc., and with it is understood 天下 t'ien hsia beneath the canopy of heaven, the empire. The order of p'ing and chih is transposed for the jingle's sake.
Chih is composed of 水 shui water as radical, and 台 i to speak, I, to give (also read t'ai exalted) as phonetic, the latter being originally composed of 以 (line 8) over 口 k'ou mouth. How it comes to mean to govern, to cure, is somewhat obscure. With it is understood 國 kuo a State (line 155), in reference to which term it must be remembered that the work in question was written during the Feudal Age of China, when the country was split up into vassal States owning a nominal allegiance to a suzerain State. See also line 257.
| 131. | 孝 | 經 | 通 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Classic of Filial Piety is mastered, |
| | Hsiao$^4$ | ching$^1$ | t'ung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Classic of Filial Piety is mastered, |
| | Filial | classic | pierce | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Classic of Filial Piety is mastered, |
Hsiao see line 41.
Ching see title. This work is ascribed to Tsêng Ts'an (line 128).
T'ung is composed of the walking radical and 甬 yung bursting vegetation as phonetic. It means to go through, free, not obstructed, to understand, etc.
| 132. | 四 | 書 | 熟 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the Four Books are known by heart, |
| | Ssŭ$^4$ | shu$^1$ | shu$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the Four Books are known by heart, |
| | Four | book | cooked | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the Four Books are known by heart, |
Ssŭ see title and line 37.
Shu see line 114. ​ Shu is composed of 孰 shu, as phonetic, with 火 huo fire underneath as radical. This phonetic shu was the original character for cooked, ripe; but inasmuch as it was also used for another sound shu meaning who? what? the two senses were separated as time went on by the insertion of the radical fire whenever shu meant cooked or ripe, to distinguish it from shu who? what? Thus it was that the growing exigencies of the language called into existence new characters to divide the burden of meanings. [The commentary puts the study of the Four Books before that of the Filial Piety Classic, an order which is still observed. See line 113.]
| 133. | 如 | 六 | 經 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the next step is to the Six Classics, |
| | Ju$^1$ | liu$^4$ | ching$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the next step is to the Six Classics, |
| | Follow | six | canon | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the next step is to the Six Classics, |
Ju is composed of 女 nü woman as radical, and 口 k'ou mouth. It is explained as a woman following the injunctions of her father and husband; hence, to go towards, to arrive. In later times it came to be used in the senses of like, as, if, and also in an introductory sense "with regard to," etc.
Liu see line 75.
Ching see title.
| 134. | 始 | 可 | 讀 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which may now be studied. |
| | Shih$^3$ | k'o$^3$ | tu$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which may now be studied. |
| | Begin | can | read | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which may now be studied. |
Shih is composed of 女 nü woman as radical, with 台 i (line 130) as phonetic. It is defined as "the beginning or birth of woman," and is the opposite of 終 chung (line 113). See also lines 200, 212, 293.
K'o is composed of 口 k'ou mouth as radical, and an obsolete word meaning vapour striving to free itself. It originally meant to be willing. ​ Tu is composed of 言 yen words as radical, and a phonetic which under its modern form is identical with 賣 mai$^4$ to sell, but is really the corruption of an obsolete word pronounced yü. It means to hum over books, to study; with another reading tou$^4$ (line 110) it means the completion of a sentence, in which sense it is said to be used for 逗 tou$^4$ to stop. Mai to sell was originally composed of 出 ch'u to dispose of (line 210) and 貝 pei valuables (line 8), while 買 mai$^3$ to buy was composed of 网 wang a net and pei valuables = to get valuables into one's net; see Mencius II. 下, X, 6, 7. [These two lines are rendered by Eitel, "Then perchance, as to the so-called Six Classics, a beginning can be made to read them." But there is no authority for translating ju by "perchance." Père Zottoli has "Quoad sex canonicos, tunc poterunt prælegi." But prælegi makes 讀 tu the act of the teacher instead of the pupil, prælegere meaning to read to others as a teacher, to show how a thing should be read, to lecture. See line 283 et seqq.]
| 135. | 詩 | 書 | 易 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Books of Poetry, of History, and of Changes, |
| | Shih$^1$ | shu$^1$ | i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Books of Poetry, of History, and of Changes, |
| | Poetry | book | change | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Books of Poetry, of History, and of Changes, |
Shih is composed of 言 yen words and 寺 ssŭ (line 30). It seems to have originally meant purpose, will ; but its only known sense in the earliest records is poetry. Here it stands for the 311 ballads collected and edited by Confucius. 經 Ching (see title) is understood with each word in this line.
Shu see line 114. It here stands for a fragmentary historical work which is said to have been edited by Confucius and embraces a period extending from the middle of the 24th cent, to the 8th cent. B.C.
I see line 126. It is here the famous work (line 141), said to have ​been composed B.C. 1150, which contains a fanciful system of philosophy deduced from the combinations of the Eight Diagrams or eight sets of lines (line 179).
| 136. | 禮 | 春 | 秋 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Rites of the Chou Dynasty, the Book of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals, |
| | Li$^3$ | ch'un$^1$ | ch'iu$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Rites of the Chou Dynasty, the Book of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals, |
| | Rites | spring | autumn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Rites of the Chou Dynasty, the Book of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals, |
Li see line 32. It here stands for two separate works, as given in the translation; otherwise it would be impossible to account for the Six Classics in line 137. Eitel solves the difficulty by splitting the Annals into two, thus "the Spring and Autumn Annals"! The two sets of Rites may be regarded roughly as the official and social codes of ancient China.
Ch'un see line 57. This and the next character form the title of the annals of the native State of Confucius between B.C. 722 and 484. These annals are said to have been written by Confucius himself. Their name is derived from the custom of prefixing the season to each entry, spring including summer, and autumn winter (line 160).
Ch'iu see line 58.
| 137. | 號 | 六 | 經 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are called the Six Classics, |
| | Hao$^4$ | liu$^4$ | ching$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are called the Six Classics, |
| | Name | six | classic | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are called the Six Classics, |
Hao (read hao$^2$) was originally composed of 号 hao a cry of pain and 虎 hu a tiger, and meant to call out, to wail, in which senses it is frequently seen. It came to mean a designation or mark, as above, and is now classed under radical 虍 hu a tiger.
Liu see line 75.
Ching see title. ​
| 138. | 當 | 講 | 求 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which should be carefully explained and analysed. |
| | Tang$^1$ | chiang$^3$ | ch'iu$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which should be carefully explained and analysed. |
| | Ought | explain | seek | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which should be carefully explained and analysed. |
Tang see line 36
Chiang see line 108.
Ch'iu is classed under radical 水 shui water. With it is here understood the word 研 yen to grind (note the radical 石 shih stone). [The Six Classics are enumerated by Chuang Tzŭ (line 174) as the five given above, i.e. without dividing the Rites, and a Book of Music. Unfortunately the passage in question (ch. XIV, ad fin.) is undoubtedly an interpolation, and this classification must therefore be referred to a later date. It has been customary since the Sung dynasty (line 251), not the T'ang dynasty (line 239) as Wylie says, op. cit. p. 7, to speak of the complete Canon as consisting of 十三經 shih san ching Thirteen Classics. Such works as the Classic of Filial Piety (line 131), the 爾雅 Erh Ya, an ancient vocabulary of classical and other words and phrases, sometimes spoken of as the Literary Expositor, and the two less known commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals (lines 164, 166), have been included; but there is actually no fixed list, various editions of the Thirteen Classics having been published with varying contents. Mayers, in his Reader's Manual, p. 352, reaches the full tale of thirteen only by counting two of them twice over. The Rites of the Chou Dynasty (line 136) was set aside under the Ming dynasty (line 254K), and the number of so-called Classics reduced to five; hence we now speak of the Four Books (line 114) and the Five Classics.] ​
| 139. | 有 | 連 | 山 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | There is the Lien shan system, |
| | Yu$^3$ | lien$^2$ | shan$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | There is the Lien shan system, |
| | Have | connected | hills | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | There is the Lien shan system, |
Yu see line 14.
Lien is composed of 車 ch'ê a cart and the walking radical, and may possibly derive its meaning from a string of carts.
Shan see line 13. [Lien shan is the name of a system of philosophy of permutations (line 135) said to have been invented by the Emperor 伏羲 Fu Hsi, B.C. 2953—2838, who began with the Diagram for hills.]
| 140. | 有 | 歸 | 藏 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | there is the Kuei tsang, |
| | Yu$^2$ | kuei$^1$ | tsang$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | there is the Kuei tsang, |
| | Have | return | storehouse | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | there is the Kuei tsang, |
Yu see line 14.
Kuei is composed of a contraction of 婦 fu wife (line 56), 止 chih to stop (line 120) as radical, and an old form of 堆 tui a heap as phonetic. It originally meant the marriage of a woman, in which sense it will be found in the Odes.
Tsang was originally 臧 tsang which is composed of 臣 ch'ên (line 54) as radical inserted in 戕 ch'iang a spear, and which is now reserved for such meanings as good, right. The 艸 ts'ao vegetation was added later in order to mark the sense to conceal. In modern days it means a place for keeping things, a treasury; read ts'ang$^2$, the character means to conceal, to store up. [Kuei tsang was the system of the Emperor 神農 Shên Nung, B.C. 2838—2698, who began with the Diagram for earth. Eitel, borrowing from Wylie (Notes on Ch. Lit. p. 2), translates this term by Reverting Deposit; and further, again from Wylie, he makes the system in force under the 商 Shang dynasty (line 188), and that of line 139 in force under the 夏 Hsia dynasty (line 187).] ​
| 141. | 有 | 周 | 易 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and there is the system of Changes of the Chou dynasty; |
| | Yu$^3$ | chou$^1$ | i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and there is the system of Changes of the Chou dynasty; |
| | Have | chou | change | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and there is the system of Changes of the Chou dynasty; |
Yu see line 14.
Chou is composed of 口 k'ou mouth as radical, with 用 yung to use (line 123), and originally meant close, dense, as population, etc. It is here the name of the dynasty which was really founded by 文王 King Wên, though he never mounted the throne, the first sovereign being his son 武王 King Wu, B.C. 1122—1115. The Book of Changes now in vogue is attributed to the pen of the father, who began with the Diagram for heaven.
I see line 126.
| 142. | 三 | 易 | 詳 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | such are the three systems which elucidate the Changes. |
| | San$^1$ | i$^4$ | hsiang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | such are the three systems which elucidate the Changes. |
| | Three | change | elucidate | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | such are the three systems which elucidate the Changes. |
San see title.
I see line 126.
Hsiang see line 109. [Eitel translates this line by "These three theories of Permutations must be studied in detail." But at the date of publication of the San Tzŭ Ching, the first two systems were no longer in existence, having disappeared many centuries before, so that it would be quite impossible to recommend them for study either in detail or otherwise. The word hsiang is often used as above, its position in the line being due to the jingle, and in any case presenting no syntactical difficulties.]
| 143. | 有 | 典 | 謨 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | There are the Regulations, the Counsels, |
| | Yu$^3$ | tien$^2$ | mo$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | There are the Regulations, the Counsels, |
| | Have | regulation | counsel | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | There are the Regulations, the Counsels, |
Yu see line 14.
Tien is composed of 册 ts'ê a tablet (see line 116), raised as a ​mark of respect upon 兀 chi a stand, which was formerly its radical; i.e. records of ancient sovereigns to serve as lessons or examples to posterity. Hence it came to mean statutes, laws, rules, and later, to hypothecate, to mortgage. It is now classed under radical 八 pa eight (line 88), and here refers, as also do the five following titles, to certain chapters in the Book of History (line 135).
Mo is composed of 言 yen words as radical, with 莫 mo not, do not, as phonetic. [The Regulations refer to the sayings and doings of wise Emperors, such as Yao and Shun (line 183), which have become a rule of life for all ages; the Counsels to advice of wise Ministers, such as the Great Yü (line 187).]
| 144. | 有 | 訓 | 誥 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Instructions, the Announcements, |
| | Yu$^3$ | hsün$^4$ | kao$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Instructions, the Announcements, |
| | Have | teach | announce | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Instructions, the Announcements, |
Yu see line 14.
Hsün see line 107.
Kao is composed of 言 yen words as radical, and 告 kao to tell.
[The Instructions were addresses of an admonitory character, delivered by some wise Minister to his Prince, on the occasion of the latter's accession to the throne. The Announcements were proclamations issued by the sovereign for various political purposes.]
| 145. | 有 | 誓 | 命 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Oaths, the Charges; |
| | Yu$^3$ | shih$^4$ | ming$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Oaths, the Charges; |
| | Have | oath | order | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Oaths, the Charges; |
Yu see line 14.
Shih is composed of 言 yen words as radical, below 折 shê to break (from 手 shou hand and 斤 chin an axe) as phonetic, and originally meant to bind, hence an oath. [Shê to break was ​originally written with 艸 ts'ao grass, arranged vertically, on the left as radical, instead of the modern 手 shou hand (扌 in combination); the archaic form of the latter would be thus closely imitated.]
Ming is an ideogram composed of 口 k'ou mouth as radical, with 令 ling (line 271) an order. It means to cause to act, to employ; also later, divine commands, destiny. [The Oaths consisted of addresses to officials, calling for assistance and usually promising rewards and threatening punishment. The Charges were what the name implies, delivered to officials at important junctures.]
| 146. | 書 | 之 | 奧 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these are the profundities of the Book of History. |
| | Shu$^1$ | chih$^1$ | ao$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these are the profundities of the Book of History. |
| | Book | 's | mystery | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these are the profundities of the Book of History. |
Shu see line 114.
Chih see line 1.
Ao was originally composed of 宀 mien a shelter as radical, with 釆 pien to distinguish and 廾 kung folded hands below. It originally meant the south-west corner, where the lares were placed. Hence perhaps the modern meanings, retired, mysterious, obscure.
| 147. | 我 | 周 | 公 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Our Duke of Chou |
| | Wo$^3$ | chou$^1$ | kung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Our Duke of Chou |
| | I | Chou | duke | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Our Duke of Chou |
Wo is composed of 戈 ko a spear as radical, and a character on the left which is regarded by some as an old form of 殺 sha to kill.
Chou see line 141.
Kung is said to be composed of 八 pa the back turned (line 88) on 厶 ssŭ private interests; hence to divide evenly, just, public-spirited, which would be the correct attitude for the ruler of a ​State. [The Duke of Chou was younger brother of 文王 King Wên, the first sovereign of the Chou dynasty (line 141), whose empire he helped to consolidate. The mariner's compass is attributed to him by the Chinese. Died B.C. 1105.]
| 148. | 作 | 周 | 禮 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | drew up the Ritual of the Chou dynasty, |
| | Tso$^4$ | chou$^1$ | li$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | drew up the Ritual of the Chou dynasty, |
| | Make | chou | ceremonial | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | drew up the Ritual of the Chou dynasty, |
Tso see line 123.
Chou see line 141.
Li see line 136. [This is the official set of Rites (see lines 136, 138). It deals with the ranks and duties of government servants, and was originally divided under six heads (line 149), the last of which was found to be missing early in the 1st cent. A.D.]
| 149. | 著 | 六 | 官 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | in which he set forth the duties of the six classes of officials, |
| | Chu$^4$ | liu$^4$ | kuan$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | in which he set forth the duties of the six classes of officials, |
| | Manifest | six | official | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | in which he set forth the duties of the six classes of officials, |
Chu is composed of 艸 ts'ao grass as radical and 者 chê (line 49). It is commonly used in the sense of to make or write a book.
Liu see line 75.
Kuan is composed of radical 宀 mien shelter, under which it is now classed, and an old word for heap, many. It is defined as officials serving their prince, the lower portion of the character giving the idea of plurality. [Père Zottoli's rendering "exhibuitque sex præfectos" is unnecessarily hard and fast. The six divisions under which the Duke of Chou ranged all officials were 天官 t'ien kuan State Counsellors, 地官 ti kuan Ministers of Finance, 春官 ch'un kuan Ministers of Sacrificial Worship, 夏官 hsia kuan Ministers of War, 秋官 ch'iu kuan Ministers of Justice, 冬官 tung kuan Ministers of Public Works. These were to some extent prototypes of the modern Six Boards. See lines 50, 57, 58.] ​
| 150. | 存 | 治 | 體 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and thus gave a settled form to the government. |
| | Ts'un$^2$ | chih$^4$ | t'i$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and thus gave a settled form to the government. |
| | Keep | govern | body | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and thus gave a settled form to the government. |
Ts'un was originally composed of 子 tzŭ child as radical and 才 ts'ai (line 49), and meant to ask compassionately after. It is now used in the sense of to preserve, to put on record.
Chih see line 130.
T'i is composed of 骨 ku bones (line 162) as radical, and a common phonetic (line 32). It means the body, to embody, form, shape, style, etc. [Eitel is wide of the mark with, "And preserved the rules of controlling personal conduct," thus making chih govern t'i. The idea of course is that the promulgation of a definite system put an end to anomalies by securing fixity of procedure.]
| 151. | 大 | 小 | 戴 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Elder and the Younger Tai |
| | Ta$^4$ | hsiao$^3$ | tai$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Elder and the Younger Tai |
| | Great | small | tai | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Elder and the Younger Tai |
Ta see line 127.
Hsiao see line 113.
Tai was originally composed of 異 i strange, with a phonetic pronounced ts'ai, and meant to increase things by dividing them. It now means to uphold, to wear on the head, and is classed under radical 戈 ko a spear, but is here a surname. [The two Tai were cousins, and both of them distinguished scholars of the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C.]
| 152. | 註 | 禮 | 記 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wrote commentaries on the Book of Rites. |
| | Chu$^4$ | li$^3$ | chi$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wrote commentaries on the Book of Rites. |
| | Annotate | ceremonies | record | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | wrote commentaries on the Book of Rites. |
Chu is composed of 言 yen words with 主 chu master as phonetic. The latter character originally meant the wick of a candle, now ​written with fire 炷. Preceded by heaven, 天主 t'ien chu, it forms the term used by the Roman Catholics for God.
Li see line 32.
Chi see line 118. [These last two characters form the title of the work, by the Younger Tai, included among the Five Classics of modern times (lines 136, 138). It is called Chi and not 經 Ching (see title) because it was not the actual work of any of the great Sages of old, but merely a compilation based upon their utterances.]
| 153. | 述 | 聖 | 言 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They published the holy words, |
| | Shu$^4$ | shêng$^4$ | yen$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They published the holy words, |
| | Publish | holy | words | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They published the holy words, |
Shu is composed of the walking radical and a phonetic said to have formerly meant a kind of millet. It originally signified to follow, and in its later sense was expressly distinguished by Confucius from 作 (line 123), the former being simply the act of transmitting the sayings of others.
Shêng is composed of 耳 êrh ear as radical and 呈 chêng level, to offer to a superior, a common phonetic. It originally meant keen of apprehension, and is now almost the equivalent of inspired, being applied only to Confucius, Mencius, the great Sages of antiquity, and the Emperor. It is also employed by missionaries in Christian terminology. See line 269.
Yen see line 118.
| 154. | 禮 | 樂 | 備 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and Ceremonies and Music were set in order. |
| | Li$^2$ | yo$^4$ | pei$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and Ceremonies and Music were set in order. |
| | Ceremony | music | prepare | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and Ceremonies and Music were set in order. |
Li see line 32.
Yo or yüeh was originally the picture of drums on a stand (note the 木 mu wood) as used at an ancient orchestral performance. ​It is defined as a general name for the combinations of the 5 notes of the ancient scale and the 8 musical sounds (line 88). Read lo$^4$, it means pleasure, joy, content.
Pei was originally written without its present radical at the left, under which form it has been explained as an ideogram composed of 苟 kou if (abbreviated, see line 5) over 用 yung to use = if wanted for use, suggesting ready, prepared.
| 155. | 曰 | 國 | 風 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of the Kuo fêng, |
| | Yüeh$^4$ | kuo$^2$ | fêng$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of the Kuo fêng, |
| | Speak | State | wind | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | We speak of the Kuo fêng, |
Yüeh see line 57.
Kuo is composed of 或 huo some one, perhaps, as phonetic, in an obsolete word meaning enclosure, as radical.
Fêng is composed of 虫 ch'ung insects, abbreviated from 蟲, and 凡 fan all (line 107) as phonetic. It is formed with insect because when the wind blows in spring, insects are called into existence. It was one of the 540 Radicals of the Shuo Wên retained among the 214 Radicals of K'ang Hsi's dictionary, and is here elliptical for 風俗 fêng su wind common = manners and customs. [Kuo fêng, the manners and customs of the States, is the title of the first section of the Book of Poetry (line 135). It is so called because it was customary for the various rulers of the Feudal States to forward to their suzerain, 天子 t'ien tzŭ the Son of Heaven, such ballads as were commonly sung by the people under their jurisdiction. These were then submitted to the Imperial Musicians, who were able to judge from their nature of the manners and customs prevailing in the various States, and the suzerain was thus enlightened as to the administration of his vassal Princes.] ​
| 156. | 曰 | 雅 | 頌 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of the Ya and of the Sung. |
| | Yüeh$^4$ | ya$^3$ | sung$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of the Ya and of the Sung. |
| | Speak | odes | panegyric | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | we speak of the Ya and of the Sung. |
Yüeh see line 57.
Ya is composed of 隹 chui short-tailed birds (obsolete) as radical, and 牙 ya teeth as phonetic, and originally meant a crow, daw, etc., for which 鴉, with 鳥 niao birds, has been substituted. It came to mean refined, but is here the title of a section of the Book of Poetry, subdivided into Lesser Ya and Greater Ya, the former being sung at ordinary entertainments given by the suzerain, and the latter on grand occasions when the feudal princes were gathered together.
Sung is composed of 頁 yeh head as radical, with 公 kung (line 147) as phonetic. It originally meant the countenance and was pronounced jung. Later on it came to mean to praise, a sacrificial ode, and is now commonly used in letters to express a wish or prayer.
| 157. | 號 | 四 | 詩 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the four sections of the Book of Poetry, |
| | Hao$^4$ | ssŭ$^4$ | shih$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the four sections of the Book of Poetry, |
| | Name | four | poetry | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the four sections of the Book of Poetry, |
Hao see line 137.
Ssŭ see title.
Shih see line 135.
| 158. | 當 | 諷 | 詠 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which should be hummed over and over. |
| | Tang$^1$ | fêng$^4$ | yung$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which should be hummed over and over. |
| | Ought | chant | hum | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which should be hummed over and over. |
Tang see line 36.
Fêng is composed of 言 yen words as radical, with 風 fêng wind (line 155) as phonetic. It has now come to mean to ridicule, to lampoon. ​ Yung has 永 yung everlasting (line 254P) as phonetic, the latter character being remarkable as containing all the elementary strokes used in writing. It is pretty much the same as fêng, the two characters signifying that peculiar method of crooning or humming over verses to oneself, almost universal in China. See line 263.
| 159. | 詩 | 既 | 亡 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When odes ceased to be made, |
| | Shih$^1$ | chi$^4$ | wang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When odes ceased to be made, |
| | Poetry | when | disappear | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When odes ceased to be made, |
Shih see line 135.
Chi is composed of 旡 chi to hiccough as phonetic, with an obsolete radical said to mean the fragrance of grain. It originally meant a small meal, rations, but is now a particle of finality, = since, already, etc.
Wang is composed of 入 ju to enter and 乚 an old form of 隱 yin to conceal. It means to escape as a fugitive, to perish, lost, etc. Read wu = not. [The Rev. Eitel failed to seize the point of this line, to wit, "(As to the Spring and Autumn Annals) it was when the Book of Odes was already lost, that etc." But there is no suspicion that the Odes ever were lost, the true explanation being that with the decline of the suzerain's power over the Feudal States, the construction of Ya odes fell into desuetude. See Mencius, Book IV, Pt. II, ch. 21. Neither does Père Zottoli provide a very lucid rendering in "Carmen cum cessaverit," especially as elsewhere he speaks of the "carminum liber."]
| 160. | 春 | 秋 | 作 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Spring and Autumn Annals were produced. |
| | Ch'un$^1$ | ch'iu$^1$ | tso$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Spring and Autumn Annals were produced. |
| | Spring | autumn | make | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Spring and Autumn Annals were produced. |
Ch'un see line 136.
Ch'iu see line 136. ​ Tso see line 123. [Père Zottoli here adopts a singular idiom, namely "chronicorum liber exurgit." If he employs "exurgit" (exsurgit for preference) to avoid the use of a passive, he misses a good chance of illustrating the powers of Chinese words, which readily lend themselves to any voice, mood, or tense, as required. For two interpolated lines see Appendix II.]
| 161. | 寓 | 褒 | 貶 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These Annals contain praise and blame, |
| | Yü$^4$ | pao$^1$ | pien$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These Annals contain praise and blame, |
| | Dwell | praise | blame | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These Annals contain praise and blame, |
Yü is composed of 宀 mien shelter as radical, with a common phonetic. It originally meant to sojourn, to be present in, and comes by extension to mean allegory, but Eitel is quite wrong in giving it here such an extended meaning as "Which, being metaphorically suggestive of either praise or censure."
Pao is now composed of 保 pao to guarantee as phonetic, with 衣 i clothes as radical (line 82). K'ang Hsi gives a different combination as the classical form, but the Shuo Wên gives another; in fact there are several ways of writing this character, of which the one adopted is the most common. It originally meant long robes, and these, conferred by the sovereign, may have come to embody the idea of praise.
Pien has 貝 pei pearl-oyster, valuables, as radical, with 乏 fa exhausted (said to be 正 chêng upright turned the wrong way round) as phonetic. It originally meant to injure. [This is the famous "praise-and-blame" theory, based upon the following words of Mencius, "Confucius completed the Spring and Autumn Annals, and rebellious Ministers and bad sons stood aghast." Hence it came to be said that "one word of such praise was more honourable than an embroidered robe, and one word of such censure sharper than an axe."] ​
| 162. | 別 | 善 | 惡 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and distinguish the good from the bad. |
| | Pieh$^2$ | shan$^4$ | o$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and distinguish the good from the bad. |
| | Separate | good | bad | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and distinguish the good from the bad. |
Pieh is composed of 刀 tao knife (in combination) on the right as radical, and an obsolete word which meant to scrape or cut a man's flesh from his bones. The latter is the phonetic of 過 kuo (line 18) less 口 k'ou mouth, and is 骨 ku bones less 肉 (月 in combination) jou flesh; it has nothing to do with 另 ling separate, as might be inferred from the way in which it is now written. [An old form of pieh was two 八 pa (line 88), and the modern 八 pa eight is now written in official documents 捌.]
Shan see line 2.
O see line 83.
| 163. | 三 | 傳 | 者 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The three commentaries upon the above |
| | San$^1$ | chuan$^4$ | chê$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The three commentaries upon the above |
| | Three | record | one | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The three commentaries upon the above |
San see title.
Chuan is composed of 人 jen man as radical, and 專 chuan (line 8) as phonetic, and means a chronicle, a biography. See line 269. Read ch'uan$^2$, it means to transmit, to deliver as orders, to summon (line 213).
Chê see line 49.
| 164. | 有 | 公 | 羊 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | include that of Kung-yang, |
| | Yu$^3$ | kung$^1$ | yang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | include that of Kung-yang, |
| | Have | kung | yang | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | include that of Kung-yang, |
Yu see line 14.
Kung see line 147.
Yang see line 77. [Kung-yang is here a double surname, being ​that of the author of one of the three commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals, who flourished in the 5th cent. B.C. Like that of Ku-liang (line 166) it is much inferior to the great work of Tso (line 165); indeed, from striking similarities in the two former, it has been suspected either that one is a copy of the other or that both may be from the same hand.]
| 165. | 有 | 左 | 氏 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | that of Tso, |
| | Yu$^3$ | tso$^3$ | shih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | that of Tso, |
| | Have | tso | family | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | that of Tso, |
Yu see line 14.
Tso is composed of the old form for 手 shou hand as radical, over 工 kung labour, its modern radical, and means the left hand, calling to mind the discredited position of the left hand among Hindus and other eastern nations. The left is now the place of honour in China, but in ancient times the right; hence left is found in literature with such senses as wrong, heterodox, etc. Here it stands for the surname of 左邱明 Tso-ch'iu Ming, the most important of the three commentators and a reputed disciple of Confucius. His commentary is of infinitely more value, from every point of view, than the original text, and is popularly known as the Tso Chuan.
Shih is said to be the picture of a landslip, with an obsolete phonetic added. It is now a radical meaning family name, family, clan, and is often tacked on to surnames. In the case of a woman, it then means her maiden name.
| 166. | 有 | 穀 | 梁 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and that of Ku-liang. |
| | Yu$^3$ | ku$^3$ | liang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and that of Ku-liang. |
| | Have | ku | liang | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and that of Ku-liang. |
Yu see line 14.
Ku see line 75. ​ Liang see line 73. [The last two characters are the double surname of the third commentator, who lived in the 5th cent. B.C.]
| 167. | 經 | 既 | 明 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Classics are understood, |
| | Ching$^1$ | chi$^4$ | ming$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Classics are understood, |
| | Classic | when | clear | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Classics are understood, |
Ching see title. It may here be noted that the term Classics is not applied only to the works mentioned in lines 135, 136, but includes also the Four Books (line 115 et seq.). Eitel wrongly inserts "six," although the commentary particularly repudiates any such limitation: 四書六經皆經也 ssŭ shu liu ching chieh ching yeh the Four Books and Six Classics are all Classics.
Chi see line 159.
Ming see line 110.
| 168. | 方 | 讀 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | then the writings of the various philosophers should be read. |
| | Fang$^1$ | tu$^1$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | then the writings of the various philosophers should be read. |
| | Then | read | philosopher | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | then the writings of the various philosophers should be read. |
Fang see lines 14, 30.
Tu see lines 110, 134.
Tzŭ see line 11. [This injunction includes 諸子 chu tzŭ (line 176) philosophers generally, orthodox and otherwise, line 169 guiding the student towards his right goal, the ultimate glorification of Confucianism. Eitel wrongly restricts it to "the ten philosophers," meaning the five philosophers mentioned in lines 171—174, with five other lesser lights, the works attributed to some of whom are now recognised to be spurious, viz. 列子 Lieh Tzŭ, 管子 Kuan Tzŭ, 韓非子 Han Fei Tzŭ, 淮南子 Huai-nan Tzŭ, and 鶡冠子 Ho Kuan Tzŭ.] ​
| 169. | 撮 | 其 | 要 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Pick out the important points in each, |
| | Ts'o$^4$ | ch'i$^2$ | yao$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Pick out the important points in each, |
| | Choose | the | need | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Pick out the important points in each, |
Ts'o is composed of 手 shou hand as radical, and 最 tsui to collect (line 202) as phonetic.
Ch'i appears to have been written 兀 (see line 143) in early ages, meaning a stand for exhibiting things. It is defined as a word for pointing at things, a demonstrative, and is now classified under radical 八 pa (line 88). It is sometimes a demonstrative, and sometimes merely the article, definite or indefinite.
Yao is composed of an obsolete character representing the two hands as radical, and 交 chiao to interlace, originally a picture of crossed legs, as phonetic. The whole is a picture of a man standing with his arms akimbo, and meant waist, now written 腰 with 肉 jou flesh as radical: hence necessary, important, to need, etc. Read yao$^1$ it means to meet, to intercept, to make an agreement, etc.
| 170. | 記 | 其 | 事 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and take a note of all facts. |
| | Chi$^4$ | ch'i$^2$ | shih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and take a note of all facts. |
| | Record | the | affair | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and take a note of all facts. |
Chi see line 118. It is not meant that such facts should be learnt by rote, but rather noted for use.
Ch'i see line 169.
Shih is composed of 史 shih historian (line 176), its old radical, with a contraction of 之 chih (line 1) as phonetic, and originally meant duties of office, to serve. It is now classed under radical 亅 (obsolete), and means business, affairs, but here points towards facts, as opposed to theories, which facts heterodox writers may have simply misinterpreted. ​
| 171. | 五 | 子 | 者 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The five chief philosophers |
| | Wu$^3$ | tzŭ$^3$ | chê$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The five chief philosophers |
| | Five | philosopher | one | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The five chief philosophers |
Wu see line 15. Chief is implied.
Tzŭ see line 11.
Chê see line 49.
| 172. | 有 | 荀 | 楊 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are Hsün, Yang, |
| | Yu$^3$ | hsün$^2$ | yang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are Hsün, Yang, |
| | Have | hsün | yang | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are Hsün, Yang, |
Yu see line 14.
Hsün is composed of 艸 ts'ao vegetation as radical, with 旬 hsün a period of ten days, a decade, as phonetic. It is the name of a plant, not identified, and here the surname of 荀況 Hsün K'uang (line 4).
Yang see line 16. It is here the surname of 楊雄 Yang Hsiung (line 4).
| 173. | 文 | 中 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Wên Chung Tzŭ, |
| | Wên$^2$ | chung$^4$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Wên Chung Tzŭ, |
| | Wên | chung | tzŭ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Wên Chung Tzŭ, |
Wên see line 44.
Chung see line 64. Sometimes wrongly written 仲.
Tzŭ see line 11. These three characters form the posthumous title conferred upon 王通 Wang T'ung, a philosopher who flourished A.D. 583—616.
| 174. | 及 | 老 | 莊 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Lao Tzŭ, and Chuang Tzŭ |
| | Chi$^2$ | lao$^3$ | chuang$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Lao Tzŭ, and Chuang Tzŭ |
| | Reach | lao | chuang | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Lao Tzŭ, and Chuang Tzŭ |
Chi is composed, under its old form, of 又 yu hand (line 18) as ​radical, and 人 jen man, and is explained as to seize the man ahead, hence to come up to. Here = and.
Lao see line 24.
Chuang is composed of 艸 ts'ao vegetation as radical, and 壯 chuang strong as phonetic. (The latter, composed of 士 shih a soldier as its old radical, with 爿 ch'iang or ch'uang a bedstead as phonetic, was the original character.) It is here the surname of a philosopher of the 4th cent. B.C., who wrote on the teachings of Lao Tzŭ.
| 175. | 經 | 子 | 通 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Classics and the Philosophers are mastered, |
| | Ching$^1$ | tzŭ$^3$ | t'ung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Classics and the Philosophers are mastered, |
| | Classic | philosopher | pierce | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Classics and the Philosophers are mastered, |
Ching see title and line 167.
Tzŭ see line 11.
T'ung see line 131.
| 176. | 讀 | 諸 | 史 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the various histories should be read, |
| | Tu$^2$ | chu$^1$ | shih$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the various histories should be read, |
| | Read | all | historian | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the various histories should be read, |
Tu see line 134.
Chu is composed of 言 yen words and 者 chê (line 49). It is not necessary always to translate it rigorously; sometimes it is a mere sign of the plural. It also has various prepositional values, such as at, on, in, to, etc.
Shih was composed, under its old form, of 又 yu hand (line 18) grasping 中 chung the middle (line 64), sc. impartiality. It is defined as one who records events, and was applied in early ages to the Grand Astrologer of the Court. ​
| 177. | 考 | 世 | 系 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the genealogical connections should be examined, |
| | K'ao$^3$ | shih$^4$ | hsi$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the genealogical connections should be examined, |
| | Examine | generation | connect | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the genealogical connections should be examined, |
K'ao is composed of 老 lao old (line 24) abbreviated, and an obsolete phonetic. It originally meant old; then it came to signify a dead father; now it is the common term for examination.
Shih is composed of three 十 shih tens, thirty years being the Chinese estimate of the length of a generation of men. It is also used in the sense of mankind, the world.
Hsi is 糸 ssŭ silk, with a dash at the top, and means to tie, to bind. [Eitel translates this line by "Searching their chapters on genealogy and their family records." But hsi has no such meaning as "records."]
| 178. | 知 | 終 | 始 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | so that the end of one dynasty and the beginning of the next may be known. |
| | Chih$^1$ | chung$^1$ | shih$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | so that the end of one dynasty and the beginning of the next may be known. |
| | Know | end | beginning | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | so that the end of one dynasty and the beginning of the next may be known. |
Chih see lines 28, 70.
Chung see line 113.
Shih see line 134. [Eitel continues "So as to know both the end and the beginning of history."]
| 179. | 自 | 羲 | 農 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | From Fu Hsi and Shên Nung |
| | Tzŭ$^4$ | hsi$^1$ | nung$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | From Fu Hsi and Shên Nung |
| | From | vapour | till | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | From Fu Hsi and Shên Nung |
Tzŭ see line 93.
Hsi is composed of 兮 hsi separation of vapour, later a particle of emphasis (an old radical), with 義 i (line 14) as phonetic. It originally meant vapour, but here stands for the name of the legendary Emperor 伏 Fu (or 庖 P'ao) 羲 Hsi, who reigned B.C. 2953—2838, and is said to have developed the Diagrams ​(line 135) from the marks on the back of a tortoise. It is now classed under radical 羊 yang a sheep.
Nung appears under a dozen different forms, the original composition of which is obscure. It is now classed under radical 辰 ch'ên heavenly bodies, and seems to have been originally associated with the dim light of dawn, but here stands for the name of the legendary Emperor 神農 Shên Nung, the Divine Husbandman, who reigned B.C. 2838—2698, and is said to have first taught the art of agriculture.
| 180. | 至 | 黃 | 帝 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | on to the Yellow Emperor,— |
| | Chih$^4$ | huang$^2$ | ti$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | on to the Yellow Emperor,— |
| | Arrive | yellow | ruler | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | on to the Yellow Emperor,— |
Chih see line 94.
Huang is composed of 田 t'ien fields and 光 kuang (line 51) under an old form. It is one of the five colours (青 ch'ing blue and green, 黃 huang yellow, 赤 ch'ih red, 白 pai white, 黑 hei black), and is assigned to earth. It is now the Imperial colour, which under the Chou dynasty (line 141) was red.
Ti is now classed under radical 巾 chin a napkin, but in early ages it was classed under 上 shang above, with 束 tz'ŭ a thorn as phonetic. It originally meant to investigate judicially, the ruler of the world, and so came to mean the Supreme Being, God, and also the deified spirits of Imperial ancestors. Some have traced it to the eight-pointed star of Babylon, but in the old form given in the Shuo Wên dictionary there are but seven points. [The Yellow Emperor reigned B.C. 2698—2598, and is the reputed inventor of clothes.]
| 181. | 號 | 三 | 皇 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these are called the Three Rulers, |
| | Hao$^4$ | san$^1$ | huang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these are called the Three Rulers, |
| | Name | three | ruler | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these are called the Three Rulers, |
Hao see line 137. ​ San see title.
Huang was originally composed of 自 tzŭ from, with 王 wang prince (as though de par le roi) as radical, and means great. It is classed under radical 白 pai white (hence a suggested connection with the White Tsar), and is part of the term 皇 帝 huang ti Emperor. [Mr. Demetrius Boulger made an amusing blunder in his History of China, vol. I, p. 6, note, by confounding Huang ti Emperor, as above, with Huang ti the Yellow Emperor of line 180:—"Hoangti means the Yellow Emperor; but it henceforth became a usual title for the first ruler of a new dynasty to take."]
| 182. | 居 | 上 | 世 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | who lived in the early ages. |
| | Chü$^1$ | shang$^4$ | shih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | who lived in the early ages. |
| | Abide | top | generation | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | who lived in the early ages. |
Chü is composed of 尸 shih a corpse as radical, and 古 ku ancient. It originally meant to squat on the heels, and is now classed under radical 口 k'ou mouth.
Shang see line 75.
Shih see line 177.
| 183. | 唐 | 有 | 虞 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | T'ang and Yu-yü |
| | T'ang$^2$ | yu$^3$ | yü$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | T'ang and Yu-yü |
| | T'ang | yu | yü | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | T'ang and Yu-yü |
T'ang is composed of 口 k'ou mouth as radical, with 庚 kêng to change as phonetic. It originally meant big words; hence, to boast. It here stands for tbe famous Emperor, better known from his canonisation as 堯 Yao, who reigned B.C. 2357—2258 and had previously been Marquis of T'ang.
Yu see line 14.
Yü is composed of 虍 hu tiger as radical, with 吳 wu (line 223) as phonetic, and originally meant a fabulous animal. It now ​means to reckon, to be anxious, etc., and here stands, with yu = occupier, for the place of birth of the famous Emperor, better known from his canonisation as 舜 Shun, who reigned B.C. 2255—2205. [Eitel translates, "Next comes T'ang having Yü to follow him." Père Zottoli says in a note "Yeou yu vero dicitur Choen 舜 imperator, item a feudi nomine," which would appear to be incorrect.]
| 184. | 號 | 二 | 帝 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are called the Two Emperors. |
| | Hao$^4$ | êrh$^4$ | ti$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are called the Two Emperors. |
| | Name | two | ruler | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are called the Two Emperors. |
Hao see line 137.
Erh see title.
Ti see line 180.
| 185. | 相 | 揖 | 遜 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They abdicated, one after the other, |
| | Hsiang$^1$ | i$^1$ | hsün$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They abdicated, one after the other, |
| | Mutual | yield | withdraw | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They abdicated, one after the other, |
Hsiang see line 3. It is quite wrong here to squeeze out the usual sense of reciprocity. There was in fact no reciprocity in the case. Yao abdicated in favour of Shun, and Shun put the Great Yü (line 187) on the throne.
I is composed of 手 shou hand as radical, with a phonetic composed of 口 k'ou mouth and 耳 êrh ear, to whisper. It is now commonly used in the sense of to salute with the folded hands.
Hsün is composed of 孫 sun grandchild (line 92) as phonetic, with the walking radical.
| 186. | 稱 | 盛 | 世 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and theirs was called the Golden Age. |
| | Ch'êng$^1$ | shêng$^4$ | shih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and theirs was called the Golden Age. |
| | Entitle | prosperous | age | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and theirs was called the Golden Age. |
Ch'êng is composed of 禾 ho grain and a phonetic which seems ​to have meant to pick up with the 爪 chao claws, fingers. It originally signified to weigh, hence to estimate, to entitle. Read ch'êng$^4$ it is a weighing-machine.
Shêng is composed of 成 ch'êng (line 26) as phonetic, and an obsolete radical 皿 min dishes. Read ch'êng$^2$ it means to hold, to contain.
Shih see line 177. [Père Zottoli seems to have pressed the hsiang too closely, "mutuique honoris observantia, nuncupatur florentissima ætas." Eitel misses the meaning of both lines, "who in mutual deference successively resigned, Though they were by reputation most prosperous rulers." He has evidently read 治 for 世 with "Chan Yo-han."]
| 187. | 夏 | 有 | 禹 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Hsia dynasty had Yü; |
| | Hsia$^4$ | yu$^3$ | yü$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Hsia dynasty had Yü; |
| | Hsia | have | yü | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Hsia dynasty had Yü; |
Hsia see line 57.
Yu see line 14.
Yü originally meant insects, and 虫 ch'ung insects might well have been chosen as its radical. It is however classed under an obsolete word 內 jou the footprints of certain animals, and here stands for the wise Minister, afterwards first Emperor of the Hsia dynasty, popularly known as 大禹 ta yü the Great Yü, who reigned B.C. 2205—2197. He is chiefly famous for having drained the empire of a vast body of water, which some have tried to identify with Noah's flood.
| 188. | 商 | 有 | 湯 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Shang dynasty had T'ang; |
| | Shang$^1$ | yu$^3$ | t'ang$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Shang dynasty had T'ang; |
| | Shang | have | t'ang | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Shang dynasty had T'ang; |
Shang is composed of 內 nei inside, with 口 k'ou mouth inside it, the two forming an old radical, with 章 chang a document, abbreviated, as phonetic. It is now classed under radical 口 k'ou ​mouth, and is the name of a dynasty which lasted from B.C. 1766—1122.
Yu see line 14.
T'ang is composed of 水 shui water as radical, with a common phonetic (lines 16, 126), and originally meant hot water. It here stands for the first Emperor of the Shang dynasty, who reigned B.C. 1766—1753 and is popularly known as 成湯 ch'êng tang T'ang the Completer (line 26).
| 189. | 周 | 文 | 武 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Chou dynasty had Wen and Wu;— |
| | Chou$^1$ | wên$^2$ | wu$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Chou dynasty had Wen and Wu;— |
| | Chou | wên | wu | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Chou dynasty had Wen and Wu;— |
Chou see line 141.
Wên see line 44.
Wu is composed of 止 chih to stop, as radical, and 戈 ko spear, weapons; stoppage of hostilities being the ultimate object of war. This etymology is dated back in the Tso Chuan (line 165) to B.C. 595.
| 190. | 稱 | 三 | 王 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these are called the Three Kings. |
| | Ch'êng$^1$ | san$^1$ | wang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these are called the Three Kings. |
| | Entitle | three | king | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these are called the Three Kings. |
Ch'êng see line 186.
San see title.
Wang is composed of three horizontals which stand for heaven, earth, and man in the middle, the line for man being nearer to heaven than to earth, in token of his divine obligations. These are united by a vertical line which typifies the influence of the sovereign. The character was originally a radical, but is now classed under 玉 yü jade. Read wang$^4$ = to rule. [The two in line 189, King Wên and King Wu, who were father and son, count only as one. For although King Wu was the first ​sovereign of the Chou dynasty (line 141), King Wên is regarded as its virtual founder, and is thus allowed to share posthumously in the honours of his son. Wên and Wu are the names under which they were severally canonised.]
| 191. | 夏 | 傳 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Under the Hsia dynasty the throne was transmitted from father to son, |
| | Hsia$^4$ | ch'uan$^2$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Under the Hsia dynasty the throne was transmitted from father to son, |
| | Hsia | transmit | child | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Under the Hsia dynasty the throne was transmitted from father to son, |
Hsia see line 57.
Ch'uan see line 163.
Tzŭ see line 11. [Up to the time of the Great Yü, some virtuous man had always been chosen as successor to the reigning monarch, a system, which Yü himself strove to carry on. After his death, however, his nominee was set aside and his own son was appointed.]
| 192. | 家 | 天 | 下 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | making a family possession of the empire. |
| | Chia$^1$ | t'ien$^1$ | hsia$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | making a family possession of the empire. |
| | Family | heaven | below | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | making a family possession of the empire. |
Chia is composed of 冖 mien shelter as radical, and 豭 chia a boar, abbreviated, as phonetic. It is the equivalent of our word home, a pig under a roof forming an ideogram which should be especially suggestive to our neighbours in the sister isle.
T'ien see line 50.
Hsia is composed under its old form of a line below a line, thus forming an ideogram (line 75). It is now classed under radical 一 i one. [Under heaven, all beneath the canopy of the sky, is the common term for the empire, as being commensurate with the world. For the above two lines Eitel has, "(As to the time occupied by each Dynasty,) as the founder of the Hsia delivered the throne to his son (B.C. 2197), his family possessed all the country to Heaven subject."] ​
| 193. | 四 | 百 | 載 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | After four hundred years, |
| | Ssŭ$^4$ | pai$^3$ | tsai$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | After four hundred years, |
| | Four | hundred | year | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | After four hundred years, |
Ssŭ see title.
Pai see line 46.
Tsai$^4$ is composed of 車 ch'ê cart as radical, and an obsolete phonetic (line 151), and originally meant to contain, to load, full, complete, etc. Read tsai$^3$ it means a year, which sense seems to have been derived from full, complete. There are however other and more fanciful explanations. [Four hundred is a round number. The Hsia dynasty lasted from B.C. 2205—1766. Eitel says to 1818, but this was the date of the accession of the last Emperor.]
| 194. | 遷 | 夏 | 社 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Imperial sacrifice passed from the House of Hsia. |
| | Ch'ien$^1$ | hsia$^4$ | shê$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Imperial sacrifice passed from the House of Hsia. |
| | Move | Hsia | sacrifice | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Imperial sacrifice passed from the House of Hsia. |
Ch'ien see line 6.
Hsia see line 57.
Shê is composed of 示 shih divine manifestation as radical, and 土 t'u earth, and originally meant lord or spirit of the earth; hence, sacrifices to such spirits, the sacrificial communion of the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, with the Supreme Being. [Eitel has, "When at last Heaven removed Hia's tutelary altar." But there is no need to supply Heaven as a subject to ch’ien; the root idea is sufficient.]
| 195. | 湯 | 伐 | 夏 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | T'ang the Completer destroyed the Hsia dynasty |
| | T'ang$^1$ | fa$^1$ | hsia$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | T'ang the Completer destroyed the Hsia dynasty |
| | T'ang | fell | hsia | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | T'ang the Completer destroyed the Hsia dynasty |
T'ang see line 188. ​ Fa is composed of 人 jen man and 戈 ko a spear, and means to cut down, to destroy. See line 249.
Hsia see line 57. [Gradually the sovereigns of this dynasty, which had been founded under such brilliant auspices (line 187), began to degenerate, the climax being reached under the reign of 桀癸 Chieh Kuei, who came to the throne in B.C. 1818 and for many years indulged in cruel brutality and lust almost unparalleled in history.]
| 196. | 國 | 號 | 商 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the dynastic title became Shang. |
| | Kuo$^2$ | hao$^4$ | shang$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the dynastic title became Shang. |
| | State | name | shang | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the dynastic title became Shang. |
Kuo see line 155.
Hao see line 137.
Shang see line 188. [Shang was further changed to 殷 Yin in B.C. 1401.]
| 197. | 六 | 百 | 載 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The line lasted for six hundred years, |
| | Liu$^4$ | pai$^3$ | tsai$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The line lasted for six hundred years, |
| | Six | hundred | year | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The line lasted for six hundred years, |
Liu see line 75.
Pai see line 46.
Tsai see line 193.
| 198. | 至 | 紂 | 亡 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | ending with Chou Hsin. |
| | Chih$^4$ | chou$^4$ | wang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | ending with Chou Hsin. |
| | Arrive | chou | disappear | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | ending with Chou Hsin. |
Chih see line 94.
Chou is composed of 糸 ssŭ silk as radical, and what appears to be 寸 ts'un an inch but is really an abbreviation of 肘 chou elbow, as phonetic. It originally meant crupper, but here stands for 紂辛 Chou Hsin, who was under this Yin or Shang dynasty ​precisely what Chieh Kuei (line 195) had been under the Hsia dynasty, the immediate cause of its downfall.
Wang see line 159.
| 199. | 周 | 武 | 王 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | King Wu of the Chou dynasty |
| | Chou$^1$ | wu$^3$ | wang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | King Wu of the Chou dynasty |
| | Chou | wu | king | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | King Wu of the Chou dynasty |
Chou see line 141.
Wu see line 189.
Wang see line 190.
| 200. | 始 | 誅 | 紂 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | finally slew Chou Hsin. |
| | Shih$^3$ | chu$^1$ | chou$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | finally slew Chou Hsin. |
| | Begin | slay | Chou | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | finally slew Chou Hsin. |
Shih see line 134. [The value of shih in this combination seems to have been missed by translators. The character carries within it a reference to the previous opposition of King Wu's father (line 190), who however had not achieved any tangible result. Hence King Wu shih was the first = finally. Père Zottoli has "tunc occidit T'cheou;" but tunc is inadequate, and there is no aspirate in the proper name. Eitel has for the two lines, "The founder of the Cheu dynasty was Wu Wang, He having made a commencement by destroying the tyrant Cheu."]
Chu is composed of 言 yen words as radical, and 朱 chu a pearl as phonetic, and originally meant to punish.
Chou see line 198.
| 201. | 八 | 百 | 載 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | His own line lasted for eight hundred years,— |
| | Pa$^1$ | pai$^3$ | tsai$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | His own line lasted for eight hundred years,— |
| | Eight | hundred | year | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | His own line lasted for eight hundred years,— |
Pa see line 88.
Pai see line 46.
​Tsai see line 193. [The Chou dynasty lasted from B.C. 1122–B.C. 255.]
| 202. | 最 | 長 | 久 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the longest dynasty of all. |
| | Tsui$^4$ | ch'ang$^2$ | chiu$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the longest dynasty of all. |
| | Very | long | lasting | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the longest dynasty of all. |
Tsui is composed of 冃 mao an old word for a hat, as radical, over 取 ch'ü to take. It originally meant to seize, to collect; and from the idea of collecting many came its modern sense as a superlative. [Ch'ü to take is composed of 耳 êrh ear and 又 yu hand (line 18), and refers to the old custom of cutting off the left ears of prisoners in war for transmission to the victorious chieftain or prince.]
Ch'ang see line 39.
Chiu was an old radical, and was explained as a picture of cauterisation from behind, to cauterise being expressed later on by the addition of 火 huo fire as radical, thus 炙. How it came to signify length of time is not clear. It is now classed under radical 丿 p'ieh. ["Being peerless in length of duration" is Eitel's strange rendering of this line.]
| 203. | 周 | 轍 | 東 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Chous made tracks eastwards, |
| | Chou$^1$ | c'hê$^4$ | tung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Chous made tracks eastwards, |
| | Chou | cart-rut | east | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When the Chous made tracks eastwards, |
Chou see line 141.
Ch'ê is composed of 車 ch'ê cart as radical, and a common phonetic. It is colloquially read chê$^4$.
Tung see line 62. [In B.C. 781, during the reign of 平王 King P'ing, the capital was transferred from 鎬 Hao in the modern province of Shensi to 洛邑 Lo-i in Honan. [Eitel wrongly gives B.C. 770 as the date, and Père Zottoli contents himself with a note explaining that the Court was moved "ad orientem."] ​
| 204. | 王 | 綱 | 墜 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the feudal bond was slackened; |
| | Wang$^2$ | kang$^1$ | chui$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the feudal bond was slackened; |
| | Prince | bond | sink | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the feudal bond was slackened; |
Wang see line 190.
Kang see line 53.
Chui is composed of 土 t'u earth as radical, with 隊 tui$^4$ a group, a regiment, as phonetic. [The idea is that the allegiance of the vassal States to the 王 wang suzerain began to grow weak, which Père Zottoli hardly seems to reach with "Regum disciplina corruit," as though wang referred to the feudal nobles. Eitel is nearer with "The sovereign's authority began to totter."]
| 205. | 逞 | 干 | 戈 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the arbitrament of spears and shields prevailed; |
| | Ch'êng$^3$ | kan$^1$ | ko$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the arbitrament of spears and shields prevailed; |
| | Violent | shield | spear | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the arbitrament of spears and shields prevailed; |
Ch'êng is composed of the walking radical, and 呈 ch'êng, which now means to proffer or tender, as phonetic. It originally meant to go through, to move with speed, and then as here, to act with violence at slight provocation. [Eitel translates it "raised."]
Kan is composed, under its old form, of 入 ju to enter, upside down, and 一 i one. It originally meant to oppose, and must be distinguished from 千 (line 47).
Ko is supposed to be a picture, under its old form, of the particular kind of spear intended. It is composed of 弋 i a sharpened stake and 一 i one.
| 206. | 尙 | 遊 | 說 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and peripatetic politicians were held in high esteem. |
| | Shang$^4$ | yu$^2$ | shui$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and peripatetic politicians were held in high esteem. |
| | Esteem | travel | counsel | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and peripatetic politicians were held in high esteem. |
Shang is composed of 八 pa (line 88) and 向 hsiang towards, and originally meant to add to; hence its adverbial value ​still, notwithstanding. It is now classed under radical 小 hsiao small.
Yu is composed of the walking radical and a phonetic which originally meant a streamer or pennant. It is used with 游, which is now a distinct character but which appears to have been once only another form.
Shui (see line 122) means to stop, to halt, to counsel, and here refers to a class of adventurers who wandered from State to State, offering plans for vengeance etc. on rival rulers. This character is also sometimes read yüeh$^4$ for 悅 to take pleasure in.
| 207. | 始 | 春 | 秋 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | This period began with the Spring, and Autumn epoch, |
| | Shih$^3$ | ch'un$^1$ | ch'iu$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | This period began with the Spring, and Autumn epoch, |
| | Begin | spring | autumn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | This period began with the Spring, and Autumn epoch, |
Shih see line 134.
Ch'un see line 57.
Ch'iu see line 58. [With the transfer of the Court (see line 203) the period known later on as the Spring and Autumn may be roughly said to have begun, although the work of Confucius which gave its name to the epoch starts only from B.C. 722. Père Zottoli strangely mistakes the last two words for the book, and translates by "Initio apparuit Chronicorum liber." The book could scarcely have appeared at the beginning of the period it describes.]
| 208. | 終 | 戰 | 國 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and ended with that of the Warring States. |
| | Chung$^1$ | chan$^4$ | kuo$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and ended with that of the Warring States. |
| | End | fight | state | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and ended with that of the Warring States. |
Chung see line 113.
Chan is composed of 戈 ko spear as radical, with tan single as phonetic.
Kuo see line 155. [The Spring and Autumn period, as chronicled ​by Confucius, ended in B.C. 484, after which the States quarrelled among themselves for two hundred years, the greater coercing or absorbing the less powerful, until the event related in lines 211, 212. There is an historical work, the 戰國策 Chan kuo ts'ê, which records the troubles of these times, covering the period B.C. 362-255.]
| 209. | 五 | 霸 | 强 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Next, the Five Chieftains domineered, |
| | Wu$^3$ | pa$^4$ | ch'iang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Next, the Five Chieftains domineered, |
| | Five | chief | strong | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Next, the Five Chieftains domineered, |
Wu see line 15.
Pa is composed of 月 yüeh moon, its old radical, and an obsolete phonetic, and originally referred to the new moon. It is now classed under radical 雨 yü rain. [The Five Chieftains were Dukes 桓 Huan, 文 Wên, 襄 Hsiang, 穆 Mu, and Prince 莊 Chuang. They were the rulers of various States under the Spring and Autumn period.]
Ch'iang is composed of 虫 ch'ung insect as radical, with 弘 hung the clang of a bow as phonetic, and originally meant a fierce kind of fly. It is now classed under radical 弓 kung a bow, and is also written 強.
| 210. | 七 | 雄 | 出 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the Seven Martial States came to the front. |
| | Ch'i$^1$ | hsiung$^2$ | ch'u$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the Seven Martial States came to the front. |
| | Seven | male | come-forth | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the Seven Martial States came to the front. |
Ch'i see line 84.
Hsiung is composed of 隹 chui birds as radical, with 厷 kung the arm as phonetic, and is defined as 鳥父 niao fu the male of birds (line 18). [The States alluded to as flourishing during the second epoch were 秦 Ch'in, 楚 Ch'u, 齊 Ch'i, 燕 Yen, 漢 Han, 趙 Chao, and 魏 Wei.]
Ch'u was originally a picture of luxuriant vegetation, and meant ​to go in, a sense which is still, though rarely, attached to it. Its modern radical is 凵, an obsolete word meaning to contain. [Père Zottoli translates this line by "septem potentes exorti sunt," by which he refers to men and not to States, since he always translates the latter by "regna." He does not however mention in his notes the names of the seven heroes to whom he alludes. Ho Hsing-ssŭ gives them in his commentary as the Princes of the first six States given above, with the Prince of the 梁 Liang State as the seventh. The translation adopted is based on Wang Hsiang's commentary.]
| 211. | 嬴 | 秦 | 氏 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then the House of Ch'in, descended from the Ying clan, |
| | Ying$^2$ | ch'in$^2$ | shih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then the House of Ch'in, descended from the Ying clan, |
| | Ying | ch'in | family | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then the House of Ch'in, descended from the Ying clan, |
Ying is composed of 女 nü woman, and 羸 lei thin with 羊 yang sheep left out, the latter being given in the Shuo Wên as phonetic. It was the family name of the Emperor 少昊 Shao Hao, B.C. 2958, and is classed like other old clan names, and like 姓 hsing surname (= woman-born, from 女 nü woman and 生 shêng to produce), under 女 as radical. See line 350.
Ch'in is composed of 禾 ho grain as radical, and a contraction of 春 ch'un spring (line 57) as phonetic. It was the name of a fief bestowed upon the descendants of a Minister under the Emperor Shun (line 183) and adapted for growing grain.
Shih see line 165. [Père Zottoli has "Yng e Ts'in familia," and shows by his note that he means "familia" to belong to "Yng." Eitel has "a man of the Ying clan, being the sovereign of the Ts'in family." The translation however must be based on the following facts. Ying was the name of an old family or clan, one member of which received the fief of Ch'in for services rendered to a sovereign of the Chou dynasty; 是爲秦氏 ​hence the House of Ch'in and the First Emperor (see line 212).]
| 212. | 始 | 兼 | 幷 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | finally united all the States under one sway. |
| | Shih$^3$ | chien$^1$ | ping$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | finally united all the States under one sway. |
| | Begin | together | unite | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | finally united all the States under one sway. |
Shih see line 134. [Eitel translates with fatal inaccuracy "Commenced to absorb and to unite etc."]
Chien is composed of a hand (old form) grasping two (= plurality) ears of grain, under which radical it was originally classed, now under 八 pa (line 88).
Ping is composed of 从 ts'ung to follow, its old radical, with 幵 ch'ien level as phonetic. It originally meant to follow; hence, two together, united, etc. It is also explained as two 人 jen men grasping two 干 kan shields, q.d. united. [The above union was accomplished in B.C. 221 by the then ruler of the Ch'in State. After vanquishing and absorbing the other States, he succeeded in proclaiming himself 始皇帝 Shih Huang Ti the First Emperor of a united China. He died B.C. 210.]
| 213. | 傳 | 二 | 世 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The throne was transmitted to Erh Shih, |
| | Ch'uan$^2$ | êrh$^4$ | shih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The throne was transmitted to Erh Shih, |
| | Transmit | êrh | shih | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The throne was transmitted to Erh Shih, |
Ch'uan see line 163.
Erh see title.
Shih see line 177. [Erh Shih, or Second Generation, is the title under which is known in history the youngest son of the First Emperor, the latter having declared that the line he founded should endure for ten thousand generations. His elder brother was murdered to clear the way, a fate he himself shared in B.C. 207. Eitel wrongly translates the title, with the following result, "the throne of which was delivered only to the second generation."] ​
| 214. | 楚 | 漢 | 爭 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | upon which followed the struggle between the Ch'u and the Han States. |
| | Ch'u$^3$ | han$^4$ | chêng$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | upon which followed the struggle between the Ch'u and the Han States. |
| | Ch'u | han | contend | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | upon which followed the struggle between the Ch'u and the Han States. |
Ch'u is composed of 林 lin a forest (line 66), one half of which is the radical under which it is now classed, and 疋 (now p'i$^3$ a piece or bale) an old form of 足 tsu foot, as phonetic. Its chief meanings are to punish, clear, perspicuous; but it is here only the name of a State (line 210).
Han is composed of 水 shui water as radical, and a contraction of 難 nan difficult as phonetic. It originally meant waves, and is the name of a famous river. It has also been applied to the Milky Way, and is here the name of a State.
Chêng is composed of 爪, chao claws, its modern radical, which is the picture of a hand with the back uppermost, 又 yu a hand (line 18), and an obsolete character meaning to drag, i.e. two hands tugging.
| 215. | 高 | 祖 | 興 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then Kao Tsu arose, |
| | Kao$^1$ | tsu$^3$ | hsing$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then Kao Tsu arose, |
| | Kao | tsu | rise | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then Kao Tsu arose, |
Kao see line 89.
Tsu see line 89. [Kao tsu is a "temple name," often bestowed after death upon the first Emperor of a dynasty (line 239). The Emperor here in question was 劉邦 Liu Pang, a quondam beadle, who in B.C. 202, after a successful revolution, mounted the throne as first Emperor of the Han dynasty.]
Hsing is composed of 臼 chiu a mortar with 同 t'ung (line 106) inserted, the lower portion being originally a pair of hands holding up the mortar (cf. line 87). It means by extension to prosper. [Eitel wrongly translates "Kao Tsu, being victorious."] ​
| 216. | 漢 | 業 | 建 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the House of Han was established. |
| | Han$^4$ | yeh$^4$ | chien$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the House of Han was established. |
| | Han | patrimony | establish | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the House of Han was established. |
Han see line 214.
Yeh was originally composed of 巾 chin a napkin below an obsolete radical meaning luxuriant vegetation, and meant a toothed board for a stand of bells. It is now classed under radical 木 mu wood, and means property, trade, calling, etc.
Chien is composed of 廴 yin to progress as radical, and 聿 (line 114), here a contraction of 律 lü statutes. It originally meant to fix the laws of a State.
| 217. | 至 | 孝 | 平 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When we come to the reign of Hsiao P'ing, |
| | Chih$^4$ | hsiao$^4$ | p'ing$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When we come to the reign of Hsiao P'ing, |
| | Arrive | hsiao | p'ing | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | When we come to the reign of Hsiao P'ing, |
Chih see line 94.
Hsiao see line 35.
P'ing see line 130. [Hsiao P'ing is here the dynastic title of the Emperor who came to the throne in A.D. 1.]
| 218. | 王 | 莽 | 篡 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Wang Mang usurped the throne. |
| | Wang$^2$ | mang$^3$ | ts'uan$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Wang Mang usurped the throne. |
| | Wang | mang | usurp | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Wang Mang usurped the throne. |
Wang see line 190.
Mang is composed of 犬 ch'üan a dog (line 78) lying down in the middle of 艸 ts'ao vegetation, doubled, under which radical it is now classed. It means jungle, and also rude, coarse, but is here merely part of the name of a famous usurper who occupied the throne between A.D. 9—23.
Ts'uan is composed of 算 suan to calculate as phonetic, and 厶 ssŭ an obsolete word meaning private, selfish, as radical. It is ​defined as to rebel and seize, which sense is fairly deducible from the component parts.
| 219. | 光 | 武 | 興 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then Kuang Wu arose, |
| | Kuang$^1$ | wu$^3$ | hsing$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then Kuang Wu arose, |
| | Kuang | wu | rise | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then Kuang Wu arose, |
Kuang see line 51.
Wu see line 189.
Hsing see line 215. [Kuang Wu is the dynastic title of a descendant of Kao Tsu (line 215) in the ninth degree, who destroyed Wang Mang the Usurper and placed himself upon the throne in A.D. 25. Here again Eitel wrongly renders hsing by victorious.]
| 220. | 為 | 東 | 漢 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and founded the Eastern Han dynasty. |
| | Wei$^2$ | tung$^1$ | han$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and founded the Eastern Han dynasty. |
| | Make | east | han | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and founded the Eastern Han dynasty. |
Wei see line 24.
Tung see line 62.
Han see line 214. [Under the former dynasty, now known as 西漢 hsi han the Western Han or as the 前漢 ch'ien han Earlier Han, the capital was at 長安 Ch'ang-an in Shensi. It was moved eastward to 洛陽 Lo-yang in Honan by Kuang Wu; hence the term Eastern. This dynasty is also known as 後漢 hou han the Later Han, a name subsequently bestowed upon one of the Five Dynasties mentioned in lines 247—250.]
| 221. | 四 | 百 | 年 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | It lasted four hundred years, |
| | Ssŭ$^4$ | pai$^3$ | nien$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | It lasted four hundred years, |
| | Four | hundred | year | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | It lasted four hundred years, |
Ssŭ see title.
Pai see line 46.
Nien was originally written with 禾 ho grain as radical above ​千 ch'ien a thousand as phonetic, and meant ripe grain, from which it is not a very far cry to year. It is now classed under radical 干 (line 205).
| 222. | 終 | 於 | 獻 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and ended with the Emperor Hsien. |
| | Chung$^1$ | yü$^2$ | hsien$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and ended with the Emperor Hsien. |
| | End | with | hsien | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and ended with the Emperor Hsien. |
Chung see line 113.
Yü see line 35.
Hsien is composed of 犬 ch'üan dog as radical, with an obsolete word meaning tripod as phonetic. It was originally a term applied to fat dogs offered in sacrifice at the ancestral temple. It means to present to a superior, but is here the dynastic title of the last Emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty, whose reign ended A.D. 221.
| 223. | 魏 | 蜀 | 吳 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Wei, Shu, and Wu, |
| | Wei$^4$ | shu$^3$ | wu$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Wei, Shu, and Wu, |
| | Wei | shu | wu | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Wei, Shu, and Wu, |
Wei is composed of 委 wei to depute as phonetic, with 鬼 kuei disembodied spirit as radical. It here stands for portions of modern Shansi and Honan, over which a son of the great 曹操 Ts'ao Ts'ao ruled as first Emperor.
Shu is composed, under its old form, of 虫 ch'ung insect as radical, below 目 mu eye as formerly written, with a curved line. It originally meant caterpillar or looper, the curved line being a picture of the loop formed by the insect when moving. It is here a name for modern Ssŭch'uan, over which 劉備 Liu Pei, a quondam artisan, ruled as first Emperor.
Wu is a common surname, and is popularly known as 口天吳 k'ou t'ien wu the wu which is made up of k'ou and t'ien, in allusion to its structure. It here stands for that part of the ​empire known as modern Kiangsu, over which 孫權 Sun Ch'üan ruled as first Emperor.
| 224. | 爭 | 漢 | 鼎 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | fought for the sovereignty of the Hans. |
| | Chêng$^1$ | han$^4$ | ting$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | fought for the sovereignty of the Hans. |
| | Contend | han | tripod | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | fought for the sovereignty of the Hans. |
Chêng see line 214.
Han see line 214.
Ting is a picture of a bronze vessel with three legs and two handles, used for burning incense. It is here figuratively employed, just as throne is often used in English.
| 225. | 號 | 三 | 國 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They were called the Three Kingdoms, |
| | Hao$^4$ | san$^1$ | kuo$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They were called the Three Kingdoms, |
| | Name | three | kingdom | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They were called the Three Kingdoms, |
Hao see line 137.
San see title.
Kuo see line 155. [The period covered by these rival Kingdoms was only about 45 years in all, yet it is one of the most famous in Chinese history and is the subject of a widely-known historical romance, based upon the tragedies enacted while the empire was thus torn by civil war.]
| 226. | 迄 | 兩 | 晉 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and existed until the Two Chin dynasties. |
| | Ch'i$^3$ | liang$^3$ | chin$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and existed until the Two Chin dynasties. |
| | Reach | two | chin | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and existed until the Two Chin dynasties. |
Ch'i is composed of the walking radical with 乞 ch'i to beg as phonetic. It is also read hsi$^3$, and commonly means until. [Eitel has "Followed by the reigns of the Two Tsin" but there is no authority for such a rendering.]
Liang is composed of 一 i one, with an obsolete word meaning again as both radical and phonetic; i.e. one taken again = two. ​It was originally the twenty-fourth part of an ounce, equal to the weight of 100 grains of millet, but now = 1/16 of a 斤 (line 3) and is classed under radical 入 ju to enter.
Chin was originally composed of 日 jih sun beneath a contraction of 至 chih to arrive, duplicated, and meant to go in. It was explained thus: "When the sun comes out, all things go in." It here stands for the Western Chin dynasty, A.D. 265—317, and the Eastern Chin, A.D. 317—420, so called because their capitals were at 洛陽 Lo-yang in Honan and 南京 Nanking in Kiangsu, respectively.
| 227. | 宋 | 齊 | 繼 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then followed the Sung and the Ch'i dynasties, |
| | Sung$^4$ | ch'i$^2$ | chi$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then followed the Sung and the Ch'i dynasties, |
| | Sung | ch'i | connect | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then followed the Sung and the Ch'i dynasties, |
Sung is composed of 宀 mien shelter as radical and 木 mu wood, and originally meant a hut, a dwelling. It is now a common surname, and here stands for a dynasty, A.D. 420—479, generally known as the 劉宋 Liu Sung, from the surname of its founder, to distinguish it from the great Sung dynasty (line 251).
Ch'i under its old form was a picture of ears of grain growing up level, and was intended to express the idea of evenness. It is here the name of a dynasty, A.D. 479—502.
Chi is composed of 糸 ssŭ silk and an old word which meant broken turned round as though mended; hence its meanings, to splice, to continue a line.
| 228. | 梁 | 陳 | 承 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and after them the Liang and Ch'ên dynasties. |
| | Liang$^2$ | ch'ên$^2$ | ch'êng$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and after them the Liang and Ch'ên dynasties. |
| | Liang | ch'ên | receive | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and after them the Liang and Ch'ên dynasties. |
Liang is composed of 木 mu wood as radical, with 水 shui water, and 刅 ch'uang to wound (= 創 line 242) as phonetic. It means ​a bridge, a beam, and is here the name of a dynasty, A.D. 502—557. See lines 73, 245.
Ch'ên is composed of 阜 fu$^4$ or fou$^4$ a mound, 阝 in combination, always on the left (line 230), as radical, 木 mu wood, and 申 shen to report as phonetic, and has apparently no connection with 東 tung east (line 62). It means to set forth, to state, and is here the name of a dynasty, A.D. 557—589.
Ch'êng is composed of 手 shou hand as radical, with 卩 chieh the half of an official seal or tally, and an obsolete character meaning the hands reverently folded. It signifies to receive from a superior.
| 229. | 為 | 南 | 朝 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the southern dynasties, |
| | Wei$^2$ | nan$^2$ | ch'ao$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the southern dynasties, |
| | Be | south | court | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These are the southern dynasties, |
Wei see line 24.
Nan see line 61. Referring to the four dynasties in lines 227, 228, to each of which the word nan southern is often prefixed.
Ch'ao is composed of 倝 kan dawn (into the composition of which enters 旦 tan the sun appearing above the horizon, dawn), an old radical, and 舟 chou boat as phonetic. It was originally read chao$^1$, and meant early morning (line 265). Read ch'ao$^2$ it means the Court, audiences being held at dawn, and so by extension a dynasty. In consequence of its change of form it is now classed under radical 月 yüeh the moon.
| 230. | 都 | 金 | 陵 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | with their capital at Nanking. |
| | Tu$^1$ | chin$^1$ | ling$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | with their capital at Nanking. |
| | Capital | chin | ling | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | with their capital at Nanking. |
Tu is composed of 者 (line 49) and 邑 i a town or hamlet, 阝 in combination, always on the right (line 228). It also means all, every.
Chin see line 66.
Ling is composed of 阜 fou a mound (line 228) as radical, with ​a common phonetic. It means a tumulus, especially of a tomb. Chin-ling is here an old name for Nanking, the southern capital, which had also been the capital under the Eastern Chin dynasty (line 226).
| 231. | 北 | 元 | 魏 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The northern dynasties are the Wei dynasty of the Yüan family |
| | Pei$^3$ | yüan$^2$ | wei$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The northern dynasties are the Wei dynasty of the Yüan family |
| | North | yüan | wei | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The northern dynasties are the Wei dynasty of the Yüan family |
Pei see line 61.
Yüan see line 94. Here a surname.
Wei see line 223. [The Northern Wei dynasty was founded in A.D. 386 by a Tartar of the 拓跋 Toba family, which name was changed by a later Emperor to 元 Yüan. Eitel wrongly translates "The northern (Toba, subsequently called) Yuen, family established the Wei dynasty." The construction however is peculiar, there being a pause at pei, the influence of which extends down to line 234.]
| 232. | 分 | 東 | 西 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which split into Eastern and Western Wei, |
| | Fên$^1$ | tung$^1$ | hsi$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which split into Eastern and Western Wei, |
| | Divide | east | west | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | which split into Eastern and Western Wei, |
Fên is composed of 八 pa divide (line 88), its old radical, and 刀 tao a knife, its modern radical. Read fen$^4$ it means share, portion.
Tung see line 62.
Hsi see line 62. [In A.D. 534 the Northern Wei came to an end, and from its ruins arose the short-lived Eastern and Western branches which were displaced by the Ch'i and Chou (see lines 233, 234) dynasties, respectively.] ​
| 233. | 宇 | 文 | 周 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Chou dynasty of the Yü-wên family, |
| | Yü$^3$ | wên$^2$ | chou$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Chou dynasty of the Yü-wên family, |
| | Yü | wen | chou | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Chou dynasty of the Yü-wên family, |
Yü is composed of 冖 mien an obsolete word meaning cover as radical, with 于 yü (= 於 line 35) as phonetic. It means space, the empyrean, but is here part of the surname of the founder of the Northern Chou dynasty, A.D. 557—589.
Wên see line 44.
Chou see line 141.
| 234. | 與 | 高 | 齊 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | with the Ch'i dynasty of the Kao family. |
| | Yü$^3$ | kao$^1$ | ch'i$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | with the Ch'i dynasty of the Kao family. |
| | With | kao | ch'i | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | with the Ch'i dynasty of the Kao family. |
Yü see line 87. [Eitel, to get out of his previous difficulty, here translates yü by "whilst," a sense which can never under any circumstances be yielded by this character.]
Kao is supposed to be the picture of a raised terrace, and its common meaning is high, elevated; but here it is the surname of the founder of the Northern Ch'i dynasty, A.D. 550—589.
Ch'i see line 227.
| 235. | 逮 | 至 | 隋 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | At length, under the Sui dynasty, |
| | Tai$^4$ | chih$^4$ | sui$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | At length, under the Sui dynasty, |
| | Reach | arrive | sui | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | At length, under the Sui dynasty, |
Tai is composed of the walking radical, and an obsolete phonetic which is a picture of a hand catching hold of a tail, thus suggesting the idea of reaching. It is often written 迨.
Chih see line 94.
Sui, which is said to be a contraction of 隨 (line 254t), was originally composed of 肉 jou flesh as radical, with the contraction of an obsolete word meaning to destroy. It meant to tear or rend ​meat, and was pronounced t'o$^3$ (line 20). It is now classed under 阜 fou a mound (line 228), and is the name of a dynasty founded A.D. 589.
| 236. | 一 | 土 | 宇 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the empire was united under one ruler. |
| | I$^1$ | t'u$^3$ | yü$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the empire was united under one ruler. |
| | One | earth | sky | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the empire was united under one ruler. |
I see line 45.
T'u see line 66.
Yü see line 233. [Eitel says the Sui dynasty "united in one the central lands as well as the borders." There is no authority for this violence done to t'u yü, which simply means territory, i.e. the empire.]
| 237. | 不 | 再 | 傳 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The throne was not transmitted twice, |
| | Pu$^1$ | tsai$^4$ | ch'uan$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The throne was not transmitted twice, |
| | Not | twice | transmit | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The throne was not transmitted twice, |
Pu see line 5.
Tsai is composed of 一 i one, and a contraction of 冓 kou which is said to be a picture of mutually handing over in exchange, out of which some idea of two, second, etc., has been "chiselled." It is now classed under an obsolete radical 冂 meaning waste land on the very outskirts of the known world. [The line means that the dynasty ended with its second Emperor.]
Ch'uan see line 163.
| 238. | 失 | 統 | 緒 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | succession to power being lost. |
| | Shih$^1$ | t'ung$^3$ | hsü$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | succession to power being lost. |
| | Lose | control | clue | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | succession to power being lost. |
Shih was origin ally composed of 手 shou hand as radical, with 乙 i a cyclical character as phonetic, and meant to relax, to let go; hence the modern signification. It is now classed under radical 大 ta great. ​ T'ung is composed of 糸 ssŭ silk as radical and 充 ch'ung to fill, to fulfil, as phonetic. It means to gather together, all, collectively, etc.
Hsü is composed of 糸 ssŭ silk as radical, and 者 chê (line 49) as phonetic, and is defined as one end of a skein of silk, giving the idea of continuity. In this sense it enters into the 年號 nien hao year-title of the reigning Emperor, who is popularly known as 光緒 Kuang Hsü Glory Continued.
| 239. | 唐 | 高 | 祖 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The first Emperor of the T'ang dynasty |
| | T'ang$^2$ | kao$^1$ | tsu$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The first Emperor of the T'ang dynasty |
| | T'ang | high | ancestor | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The first Emperor of the T'ang dynasty |
T'ang see line 183. [This dynasty flourished A.D. 618—907, and formed a brilliant epoch in Chinese history.]
Kao see line 89.
Tsu see line 89. [The founder's name was 李淵 Li Yüan.]
| 240. | 起 | 義 | 師 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | raised volunteer troops. |
| | Ch'i$^3$ | i$^4$ | shih$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | raised volunteer troops. |
| | Raise | duty | soldier | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | raised volunteer troops. |
Ch'i is composed of 走 tsou to walk as radical, and 已 i finished as phonetic. It also means to rise, to begin, etc.
I see lines 14, 69. [Eitel here translates "by raising loyal armies,"—loyal, that is, to a rebel, which in Chinese is a contradiction in terms. The word here rendered by volunteer has already been explained under line 14. Similarly, 義學 i hsüeh is a free school, 義山 i shan a free burying-ground, i.e. schools and cemeteries provided for the public from a sense of duty, and so on. Père Zottoli's translation "eduxit legitimum exercitum" seems to be equally reprehensible.]
Shih see line 20. ​
| 241. | 除 | 隋 | 亂 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He put an end to the disorder of the House of Sui, |
| | Ch'u$^2$ | sui$^2$ | luan$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He put an end to the disorder of the House of Sui, |
| | Remove | sui | confusion | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He put an end to the disorder of the House of Sui, |
Ch'u is composed of 余 yü I, myself, as phonetic, with 阜 (line 228) as radical. It originally meant the steps to a hall, and then to take away, to subtract, as in modern Chinese.
Sui see line 235.
Luan is composed of 乙 i a cyclical character, said to have once meant to govern, as radical, with a phonetic which also meant to govern. It seems to have originally signified to put confusion in order, but now means sedition, rebellion, etc.
| 242. | 創 | 國 | 基 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and established the foundations of his line. |
| | Ch'uang$^4$ | kuo$^2$ | chi$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and established the foundations of his line. |
| | Establish | nation | foundations | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and established the foundations of his line. |
Ch'uang is now composed of 刀 tao knife as radical, with 倉 ts'ang a granary as phonetic. It appears to have been a form of 刅 (line 228) and meant to wound, to cut into, in which sense it is read ch'uang$^3$. The later reading ch'uang$^4$ to begin, to lay the foundations of, etc., has probably been developed from the idea of cutting into.
Kuo see line 155. [Eitel deals with this line in evident ignorance of the fact that kuo is often used in the sense of family, line; e.g. 無子國除 wu tzŭ kuo ch'u having no son his house came to an end. He translates by "And created the modern Chinese empire's foundation." Père Zottoli too errs, but not so glaringly, with "jecit regni fundamenta."]
Chi is composed of 其 (line 169) as phonetic, with 土 t'u earth as radical, and means the beginning of a wall. ​
| 243. | 二 | 十 | 傳 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Twenty times the throne was transmitted |
| | Erh$^4$ | shih$^2$ | ch'uan$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Twenty times the throne was transmitted |
| | Two | ten | transmit | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Twenty times the throne was transmitted |
Erh see title.
Shih see line 45.
Ch'uan see line 163. [That is, there were twenty-one Emperors, the Empress who usurped the throne between A.D. 684—705 being excluded.]
| 244. | 三 | 百 | 載 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | in a period of three hundred years. |
| | San$^1$ | pai$^3$ | tsai$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | in a period of three hundred years. |
| | Three | hundred | year | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | in a period of three hundred years. |
San see title.
Pai see line 46.
Tsai see line 193. [The T'ang dynasty lasted from A.D. 618 to 907.]
| 245. | 梁 | 滅 | 之 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Liang State destroyed it, |
| | Liang$^2$ | mieh$^4$ | chih$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Liang State destroyed it, |
| | Liang | extinguish | it | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Liang State destroyed it, |
Liang see line 228. [It here stands for the name of a State, the Prince of which, by name 朱温 Chu Wên, assassinated the last Emperor of the T'ang dynasty, and placed himself upon the throne, A.D. 907. Eitel wrongly regards Liang as the name of the dynasty mentioned in line 247, thus, "Cheu Wen, the founder of the Heu Liang dynasty, destroyed it."]
Mieh is composed of a phonetic which originally meant to destroy by fire, the word 火 huo fire being present in it, and the radical 水 shui water, which seems to have been added to express the extinction of fire.
Chih see line 1. ​
| 246. | 國 | 乃 | 改 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the dynastic title was changed. |
| | Kuo$^2$ | nai$^3$ | kai$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the dynastic title was changed. |
| | Nation | then | change | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and the dynastic title was changed. |
Kuo see lines 155, 242.
Nai see line 6.
Kai is composed of 攴 p'u$^3$ to rap, and 己 chi self, and is explained as to rap or remind oneself of one's faults, q.d. to change, to reform. [The name of the new dynasty was Liang, so called after the State of the founder, as above. Eitel has a serious mistake in "and the Empire thereby underwent a change." Père Zottoli too has regnumque tunc immutatum est," which puts the student equally off the track.]
| 247. | 梁 | 唐 | 晉 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Liang, the T'ang, the Chin, |
| | Liang$^2$ | t'ang$^2$ | chin$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Liang, the T'ang, the Chin, |
| | Liang | t'ang | chin | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Liang, the T'ang, the Chin, |
Liang see line 228. A.D. 907—923.
T'ang see line 183. A.D. 923—936.
Chin see line 226. A.D. 937—947.
| 248. | 及 | 漢 | 周 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Han, and the Chou, |
| | Chi$^2$ | han$^4$ | chou$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Han, and the Chou, |
| | Reach | han | chou | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the Han, and the Chou, |
Chi is composed of 又 yu a hand (see line 18) as radical, and 人 jen man, i.e. holding on to the man ahead. Its meaning here is simply and.
Han see line 214. A.D. 947—951.
Chou see line 141. A.D. 951—960. [All the above are distinguished from earlier dynasties of the same name by the prefix of 後 hou = Later.] ​
| 249. | 稱 | 五 | 代 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are called the Five Dynasties, |
| | Ch'êng$^1$ | wu$^3$ | tai$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are called the Five Dynasties, |
| | Entitle | five | dynasty | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are called the Five Dynasties, |
Ch'êng see line 186.
Wu see line 15.
Tai is composed of 人 jen man as radical, and 弋 i a stake, to shoot with bow and arrow. It means to exchange, in place of, dynasty, etc., and must be carefully distinguished from 伐 fa (line 195).
| 250. | 皆 | 有 | 由 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and there was a reason for the establishment of each. |
| | Chieh$^1$ | yu$^3$ | yu$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and there was a reason for the establishment of each. |
| | All | have | cause | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and there was a reason for the establishment of each. |
Chieh is composed of 白 pai white as radical, and 比 pi to compare.
Yu see line 14.
Yu is not given in the Shuo Wên dictionary. It means cause, source, because, from, by, etc. [Eitel quite misses the point of this line and translates by "All of them having their origin one in the other." It has been suggested to me that this line may mean that these Five Dynasties were all named in reference to earlier dynasties mentioned in lines 228, 239, 226, 216, and 199. The commentary however of Ho Hsing-ssŭ gives 五代皆有所來者也, which puts the question beyond doubt.]
| 251. | 炎 | 宋 | 興 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then the fire-led House of Sung arose, |
| | Yen$^2$ | sung$^4$ | hsing$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then the fire-led House of Sung arose, |
| | Fiery | sung | rise | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then the fire-led House of Sung arose, |
Yen is 火 huo fire doubled to convey an idea of intensity. There is no term by which this word can really be translated in this connection. The meaning is that the Sung dynasty ruled under ​the guiding influence of fire as its own especial element. Hence Zottoli's rendering, "Ignea Sung," gives no clue whatever to the real signification, while Eitel's "glorious Sung" is altogether wrong.
Sung see line 227.
Hsing see line 215.
| 252. | 受 | 周 | 禪 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and received the resignation of the House of Chou. |
| | Shou$^4$ | chou$^1$ | shan$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and received the resignation of the House of Chou. |
| | Receive | chou | resignation | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and received the resignation of the House of Chou. |
Shou is composed of 爪 chao claws above, and 又 yu hand (see line 18) beneath, a hooked line which is here said to be a contraction of 舟 chou a boat, and plays the part of phonetic, while the two first mentioned make up the ancient radical. It commonly means to be the recipient of, to suffer, and is now classed under radical yu.
Chou see line 141. [The reference is to the six-year-old son of the last Emperor of the Later Chou dynasty, who resigned in A.D. 960 in favour of the founder of the Sung dynasty.]
Shan is composed of 示 shih divine manifestation as radical, with 單 tan single as phonetic. It means sacrificial worship of Earth, which is part of the Imperial prerogative; also, to abdicate. Read ch'au$^2$, it means to sit in contemplation, as Buddhist priests do.
| 253. | 十 | 八 | 傳 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Eighteen times the throne was transmitted, |
| | Shih$^2$ | pa$^1$ | ch'uan$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Eighteen times the throne was transmitted, |
| | Ten | eight | transmit | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Eighteen times the throne was transmitted, |
Shih see line 45.
Pa see line 88.
Ch'uan see line 163. ​
| 254. | 南 | 北 | 混 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and then the north and the south were reunited. |
| | Nan$^2$ | pei$^3$ | hun$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and then the north and the south were reunited. |
| | South | north | blend | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and then the north and the south were reunited. |
Nan see line 61.
Pei see line 61.
Hun is composed of 水 shui water as radical, and 昆 k'un together, an elder brother, as phonetic. It means to mix; hence confused, etc. [The Sung dynasty was interrupted in A.D. 1127 by the 金 Chin Tartars, who had been called in to exterminate the 遼 Liao Tartars, carrying off the Emperor and his heir and occupying the northern portion of the empire. Another son of the unfortunate monarch succeeded in re-establishing the line, and for greater security transferred his capital southwards to modern Hangchow. Hence the first period was called the Northern, the latter the Southern, Sung; and it is to the final reunion of the two under the Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan in A.D. 1260 that this line refers, although the last representative of the Sungs lived on until 1279. Eitel makes a grave mistake in regard to hun, as follows:—"Though a southern Sung dynasty branched off from the northern (A.D. 1127) when the disorders commenced."]
| 255. | 十 | 七 | 史 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Seventeen Dynastic Histories |
| | Shih$^2$ | ch'i$^1$ | shih$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Seventeen Dynastic Histories |
| | Ten | seven | history | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The Seventeen Dynastic Histories |
Shih see line 45.
Ch'i see line 84.
Shih see line 176. [The above number includes all the dynastic histories down to and inclusive of the History of the Five Dynasties. See Appendices III, IV, V, and VI, where the numbers of the dynasties are 22, 21, 21, and 19, respectively.] ​
| 256. | 全 | 在 | 玆 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are all embraced in the above. |
| | Ch'üan$^2$ | tsai$^4$ | tzŭ$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are all embraced in the above. |
| | All | are | here | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | are all embraced in the above. |
Ch'üan is composed of 入 ju to enter as radical, and 玉 yü jade, minus the dot, and means complete, perfect.
Tsai is composed of 土 t'u earth as radical, and 才 (lines 49, 254D) as phonetic, and means to be, to exist, to remain.
Tzŭ is composed of 艸 ts'ao vegetation as radical, with 幺 yao$^1$ tender, duplicated. It means this, here, now, etc. [Eitel erroneously supplies "events" as a subject for tsai.]
| 257. | 載 | 治 | 亂 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They contain examples of good and bad government, |
| | Tsai$^4$ | chih$^4$ | luan$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They contain examples of good and bad government, |
| | Contain | government | confusion | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They contain examples of good and bad government, |
Tsai see line 193.
Chih see line 130. It especially means to govern a country according to eternal principles, and also to cure a disease. Eitel has "good (sic) government" as if good was not part of the actual word, which of course it is.
Luan is composed of 乙 i a cyclical character, as radical, with 𤔔 luan to govern as phonetic, and originally meant to govern well, but is now used in the senses of rebellion, anarchy, confusion, etc.
| 258. | 知 | 興 | 衰 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | whence may be learnt the principles of prosperity and decay. |
| | Chih$^1$ | hsing$^1$ | shuai$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | whence may be learnt the principles of prosperity and decay. |
| | Know | rise | decay | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | whence may be learnt the principles of prosperity and decay. |
Chih see line 28. [和 ho harmony, here = with, is found as a variant.]
Hsing see line 215.
Shuai is composed of 衣 i clothes as radical, with a corruption ​of what was once a picture of grass or coir, and was pronounced so = a rain-coat, for which 蓑 is now used. Read shuai and coupled with hsing it means the decadence which is supposed to follow and precede with unerring regularity all periods of national or private prosperity. [The lessons rather than the facts of history are here emphasised.]
| 259. | 讀 | 史 | 者 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Ye who read history |
| | Tu$^2$ | shih$^3$ | chê$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Ye who read history |
| | Read | history | one | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Ye who read history |
Tu see line 110.
Shih see line 176.
Chê see line 49.
| 260. | 考 | 實 | 錄 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | must study the State Annals, |
| | K'ao$^3$ | shih$^2$ | lu$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | must study the State Annals, |
| | Examine | true | record | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | must study the State Annals, |
K'ao is composed of 老 lao old in its contracted form as radical, and 丂 ch'iao an obsolete word meaning vapour struggling to escape. Its original meaning was old (= lao), and, in addition to its common signification, it has also that of a deceased father.
Shih is composed of 宀 mien a roof with 貫 kuan strings of money, valuables, beneath it, and originally meant wealthy; hence it came to mean full, solid, fruit, etc.
Lu is composed of 金 chin metal as radical, and a common phonetic. It is defined as the colour of metal or gold, and comes to mean to copy out. [The shih lu are the official annals of each monarch, which he is not allowed to see and which are published only after the close of the dynasty. Orders are occasionally given for the life of some eminent statesman to be included in these annals. Eitel translates these two lines by "Reading historical works or rather that-which-constitutes-it, consists in searching out the essential ​points of records."! Zottoli is weak with "Studens historiis scrutare veridica scripta," as he gives no note to say what "veridica scripta" are intended.]
| 261. | 通 | 古 | 今 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | whereby you will understand ancient and modern events, |
| | T'ung$^1$ | ku$^3$ | chin$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | whereby you will understand ancient and modern events, |
| | Pierce | ancient | modern | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | whereby you will understand ancient and modern events, |
T'ung see line 131.
Ku is composed of 十 shih ten and 口 k'ou mouth as radical, q.d. that which is handed down through ten generations.
Chin is composed of three lines in triangular form, meaning to bring together, united, over a contraction of 及 chi to reach. It is now classed under radical 人 jen man.
| 262. | 若 | 親 | 目 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | as though having seen them with your own eyes. |
| | Jo$^4$ | ch'in$^1$ | mu$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | as though having seen them with your own eyes. |
| | As | personal | eye | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | as though having seen them with your own eyes. |
Jo is composed of 艸 ts'ao vegetation over 右 yu the right hand, and originally meant to choose vegetables. It now means to conform to, as though, you, etc. See line 299.
Ch'in see line 31.
Mu is said to be the picture of an eye with two pupils, turned up on end.
| 263. | 口 | 而 | 誦 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Recite them with the mouth, |
| | K'ou$^3$ | êrh$^2$ | sung$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Recite them with the mouth, |
| | Mouth | then | recite | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Recite them with the mouth, |
K'ou is obviously the picture of a mouth.
Erh see line 45.
Sung is composed of 言 yen words and an important phonetic (line 131). It is practically identical with yung in line 158. ​
| 264. | 心 | 而 | 惟 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and ponder over them in your hearts. |
| | Hsin$^1$ | êrh$^2$ | wei$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and ponder over them in your hearts. |
| | Heart | then | consider | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and ponder over them in your hearts. |
Hsin was originally a picture of the heart. It is regarded as the seat not only of the emotional but also of the intellectual faculties.
Erh see line 45.
Wei is composed of 心 hsin heart as seen in combination, and 隹 chui birds as phonetic. From its old signification have been developed such meanings as only, but, however, etc.
| 265. | 朝 | 於 | 斯 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Do this in the morning; |
| | Ch'ao$^1$ | yü$^2$ | ssŭ$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Do this in the morning; |
| | Morning | at | this | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Do this in the morning; |
Chao see line 229.
Yü see line 35.
Ssŭ is composed of 斤 chin axe as radical, and 其 ch'i (line 169) as phonetic. It originally meant to cut, to lop, and then came to be used as a demonstrative.
| 266. | 夕 | 於 | 斯 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | do this in the evening. |
| | Hsi$^1$ | yü$^2$ | ssŭ$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | do this in the evening. |
| | Evening | at | this | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | do this in the evening. |
Hsi is a picture of the moon half visible, and originally meant vanished like the sun hidden by trees.
Yü see line 35.
Ssŭ see line 265. [Horace's "Nocturna versate manu, versate diurna."]
| 267. | 昔 | 仲 | 尼 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Of old, Confucius |
| | Hsi$^2$ | chung$^4$ | ni$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Of old, Confucius |
| | Formerly | chung | ni | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Of old, Confucius |
Hsi see line 9.
Chung is composed of 人 jen man as radical and 中 chung middle ​(line 64). It means the second in order of birth, but is here joined with ni as the style or literary name of Confucius.
Ni is composed of 尸 shih corpse as radical, and 匕 pi$^3$ an obsolete word meaning spoon, as phonetic. It was the name of a hill at which the mother of Confucius prayed before her son was born.
| 268. | 師 | 項 | 橐 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | took Hsiang T'o for his teacher. |
| | Shih$^1$ | hsiang$^4$ | t'o$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | took Hsiang T'o for his teacher. |
| | Teacher | hsiang | t'o | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | took Hsiang T'o for his teacher. |
Shih see line 20.
Hsiang is composed of 頁 yeh head as radical, and 工 kung labour as phonetic. It means the back of the head, sort, kind, a sum of money, but is here the surname of a precocious lad who is said to have been qualified at the age of seven to be the instructor of Confucius.
T'o means a sack, but is here the personal name of Hsiang as above. It is commonly written 槖. [Eitel has "took for his model a young scholar called Hiang T'o," and even Père Zottoli has "imitabatur Hiang t'ouo," though in his note he has "septenuis jam docebat Confucium."]
| 269. | 古 | 聖 | 賢 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The inspired men and sages of old |
| | Ku$^3$ | shêng$^4$ | hsien$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The inspired men and sages of old |
| | Ancient | holy | wise | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The inspired men and sages of old |
Ku see line 261.
Shêng see line 153.
Hsien is composed of 貝 pei pearl-oyster as radical, and an obsolete word as phonetic. It means much talent, and is applied to sages on a lower level than the shêng, that is, to men who are wise but not actually inspired. Thus the 經 ching (see title) canonical books are regarded as the work of shêng holy men, whereas the 傳 chuan (line 163) were the work of hsien wise men. ​
| 270. | 尙 | 勤 | 學 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | studied diligently nevertheless. |
| | Shang$^4$ | ch'in$^2$ | hsüeh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | studied diligently nevertheless. |
| | Notwithstanding | diligent | study | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | studied diligently nevertheless. |
Shang is composed of 八 pa (see line 88) and 向 hsiang towards, as phonetic, and means to add, to esteem, to some extent, still, etc. It is now classed under radical 小 hsiao small.
Ch'in is composed of 力 li strength and a common phonetic.
Hsüeh see line 11. [The idea to be conveyed is that if even the wisest men of old studied to improve themselves, much more should young people strive to do so.]
| 271. | 趙 | 中 | 令 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Chao, President of the Council, |
| | Chao$^4$ | chung$^1$ | ling$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Chao, President of the Council, |
| | Chao | middle | worthy | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Chao, President of the Council, |
Chao is composed of 走 tsou to walk as radical, with 肖 hsiao like as phonetic. It means to hasten towards, but is here a surname standing for 趙普 Chao P'u, A.D. 916—992, a famous statesman who aided in founding the Sung dynasty (line 251).
Chung see line 64. Here part of a title.
Ling is composed of an old word meaning to bring together (line 261), and 卩 (obsolete) meaning an officer's seal or tally, one half of which was kept by the sovereign for purposes of verification. It now means a command, honourable, etc., and is classed under radical 人 jen man. See also line 145.
| 272. | 讀 | 魯 | 論 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | studied the Lu text of the Lun Yü |
| | Tu$^2$ | lu$^3$ | lun$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | studied the Lu text of the Lun Yü |
| | Read | lu | discourse | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | studied the Lu text of the Lun Yü |
Tu see line 110.
Lu was originally composed of a contraction of 自 (line 93) as radical, with a contraction of an obsolete character meaning ​pickled fish as phonetic, and meant stupid talk, dull, obtuse. It was the name of the State in which Confucius was born, and so came to be used in the exactly opposite sense of intellectual cultivation. It is not however in that sense, as Eitel and Zottoli wrongly suppose ("kept reading the Lu State's Discourses" and "studebat regni Lou sententiis"), that the word is here applied to Lun. By it is meant that particular copy of the Lun Yü (line 115) which was recovered under the Han dynasty from the Lu State and became finally the standard text, as distinguished from the 齊 Ch'i copy, recovered from the State of that name.
Lun see line 115. Here elliptical.
| 273. | 彼 | 既 | 仕 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He, when already an official, |
| | Pi$^3$ | chi$^4$ | shih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He, when already an official, |
| | He | already | official | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He, when already an official, |
Pi is composed of 彳 a step with the left foot (line 67) as radical, and 皮 p'i skin as phonetic. It means that, objective, as opposed to 此 tz'ǔ this, subjective.
Chi see line 159.
Shih is composed of 人 jen man as radical, and 士 shih (which originally meant affairs, because all affairs begin with 一 i one and end with 十 shih ten) soldier, scholar, as phonetic. It is used in the sense of to hold office.
| 274. | 學 | 且 | 勤 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | studied, and moreover with diligence. |
| | Hsüeh$^2$ | ch'ieh$^3$ | ch'in$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | studied, and moreover with diligence. |
| | Learn | moreover | diligent | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | studied, and moreover with diligence. |
Hsüeh see line 11.
Ch'ieh is composed of 几 chi a stool standing upon 一 i one, which here does duty for the ground, with two horizontal lines. It originally meant to set forth as a sacrifice.
Ch'in see line 270. ​
| 275. | 披 | 蒲 | 編 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | One opened out rushes and plaited them together; |
| | P'i$^1$ | p'u$^2$ | pien$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | One opened out rushes and plaited them together; |
| | Open | rush | plait | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | One opened out rushes and plaited them together; |
P'i is composed of 手 shou hand as radical, with 皮 p'i skin as phonetic (line 273), and originally meant to grasp from the side. It now means to spread out, etc.
P'u is composed of 艸 ts'ao vegetation as radical, and 浦 p'u a reach of a river as phonetic.
Pien is composed of 糸 ssǔ silk as radical and 扁 pien (line 116) as phonetic. It means to arrange in order, to compile, etc. [This line refers to 路温舒 Lu Wên-shu, a shepherd under the Han dynasty (line 214), who copied out on a sheet of plaited reeds, being too poor to buy the costly books of the period, portions of the Book of History.]
| 276. | 削 | 竹 | 簡 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | another scraped tablets of bamboo. |
| | Hsiao$^1$ | chu$^2$ | chien$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | another scraped tablets of bamboo. |
| | Scrape | bamboo | tablet | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | another scraped tablets of bamboo. |
Hsiao is composed of 刀 tao knife as radical, with a common phonetic (line 271).
Chu see line 87.
Chien is composed of 竹 chu bamboo as radical, with 間 chien a space as phonetic. It also means to abridge, terse, to choose, negligent, etc. [This line refers to 公孫弘 Kung-sun Hung, died B.C. 121, a swineherd who at the age of fifty borrowed the Spring and Autumn Annals and copied it out on bamboo tablets, subsequently rising to high office. Eitel entirely misses the meaning of these two lines. He translates, "Men like Lu Wên-shu split reeds and bamboo slips, or polished bamboo tablets to write on."] ​
| 277. | 彼 | 無 | 書 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These men had no books, |
| | Pi$^3$ | wu$^2$ | shu$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These men had no books, |
| | They | not | book | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These men had no books, |
Pi see line 273.
Wu was originally composed of 亡 wang to perish as radical, with 橆 wu abundant (now a synonym of 無) as phonetic. It is the negation of 有 yu (line 14), and is classed under radical 火 huo fire, as seen in combination at the bottom of a character.
Shu see line 114.
| 278. | 且 | 知 | 勉 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | they knew how to make an effort. |
| | Ch'ieh$^3$ | chih$^1$ | mien$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | they knew how to make an effort. |
| | Yet | know | effort | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | they knew how to make an effort. |
Ch'ieh see line 274.
Chih see line 28.
Mien is composed of 力 li strength as radical, and 免 mien to avoid as phonetic. It originally meant strong, stiff, hard, etc.
| 279. | 頭 | 懸 | 梁 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | One tied his head to the beam above him; |
| | T'ou$^2$ | hsüan$^2$ | liang$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | One tied his head to the beam above him; |
| | Head | hang | beam | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | One tied his head to the beam above him; |
T'ou is composed of 頁 yeh head, leaf, as radical, and 豆 tou a sacrificial vessel, beans, as phonetic.
Hsüan is composed of 心 hsin heart as radical, and 縣 hsien, which was the original form of this character but is now reserved for the sense of magistracy, magistrate, as phonetic, the radical heart being a late addition, to prevent confusion.
Liang see line 228. [This line refers to 孫敬 Sun Ching, a scholar of the 2nd cent. A.D. He thus prevented himself from nodding over his books.] ​
| 280. | 錐 | 刺 | 股 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | another pricked his thigh with an awl. |
| | Chui$^1$ | tz'ŭ$^4$ | ku$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | another pricked his thigh with an awl. |
| | Awl | prick | thigh | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | another pricked his thigh with an awl. |
Chui is composed of 金 chin metal as radical, and 隹 chui birds as phonetic.
Tz'ŭ is composed of 刀 tao knife as radical, and 朿 tz'ŭ a thorn (not 束 shu to bind as in line 283) as phonetic. It has various extended meanings, such as to blame, to criticise.
Ku is composed of 肉 jou flesh as radical and 殳 shu an obsolete word as phonetic. [This line refers to a famous statesman named 蘇秦 Su Ch'in, who died B.C. 317. It was thus that in his youth he kept himself awake for study.]
| 281. | 彼 | 不 | 教 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They were not taught, |
| | Pi$^3$ | pu$^1$ | chiao$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They were not taught, |
| | They | not | teach | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They were not taught, |
Pi see line 273.
Pu see line 5.
Chiao see line 5. [This line well illustrates the absurdity of attempting to deduce fixed rules of grammar from Chinese texts,—an attempt by the way which the Chinese themselves have never been guilty of making. To a European eye, the line can only mean "they did not teach," but to a Chinaman these three characters present three root ideas, the connected sense of which is determined by the logic of the occasion. Cf. lines 5, 17. Similar instances abound; e.g. 父母不孝 fu mu pu hsiao, which taken grammatically can only mean "If a man's father and mother are not filial," but which really means "If a man is not filial towards his father and mother," as proved by the context "what will worship of the gods avail?"] ​
| 282. | 自 | 勤 | 苦 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | but toiled hard of their own accord. |
| | Tzŭ$^4$ | ch'in$^2$ | ku$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | but toiled hard of their own accord. |
| | Self | diligent | bitter | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | but toiled hard of their own accord. |
Tzŭ see line 93.
Ch'in see line 270.
K'u is composed of 艸 ts'ao vegetation as radical, with 古 ku ancient (line 261), and is said to have originally meant the liquorice plant. Its modern sense is bitter and by extension toilsome, poverty-stricken; hence the imported word coolie has been written in Chinese 苦力 k'u li, poverty and strength.
| 283. | 如 | 囊 | 螢 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then we have one who put fireflies in a bag, |
| | Ju$^2$ | nang$^2$ | ying$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then we have one who put fireflies in a bag, |
| | Follow | bag | firefly | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then we have one who put fireflies in a bag, |
Ju see line 133. [Eitel again strangely translates by "perchance." Zottoli is also wrong with "sicut." His "quoad" under line 133 was much more to the point. The word is here used in an introductory sense.]
Nang has a portion of 束 shu to bind (lines 280, 268) appearing as part of the old radical, and also a portion of 襄 hsiang (line 38) as phonetic. It is now classed under radical 口 k'ou mouth.
Ying is composed of 虫 ch'ung insect as radical, with a common phonetic. [The reference is to 車引 Ch'ê Yin of the 4th cent. A.D., who was too poor to pay for a candle and adopted the above expedient. Eitel wrongly reads Kü Yin, being always ch'ê as a surname. Zottoli has 允 yün instead of 引 yin. Both occur, but the latter seems to be correct.]
| 284. | 如 | 映 | 雪 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and again another who used the white glare from snow. |
| | Ju$^2$ | ying$^4$ | hsüeh$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and again another who used the white glare from snow. |
| | Follow | bright | snow | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and again another who used the white glare from snow. |
Ju see line 133. ​ Ying is composed of 日 jih sun as radical, with 央 yang middle as phonetic.
Hsüeh is composed of 雨 yü rain as radical, and a contraction of 彗 hui a broom as phonetic. [The reference is to 孫康 Sun K'ang of the 4th cent. A.D., who used to study in winter by the light reflected from snow.]
| 285. | 家 | 雖 | 貧 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Although their families were poor, |
| | Chia$^1$ | sui$^1$ | p'in$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Although their families were poor, |
| | Family | although | poor | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Although their families were poor, |
Chia see line 192.
Sui is composed of 虫 ch'ung insect, its old radical, with 唯 wei to utter a cry as phonetic. Its original meaning was a creature like a chameleon, but larger. Now classed under radical 隹 chui birds.
P'in is composed of 貝 pei pearl-oyster, wealth, as radical, with 分 fên to divide, diminish, as phonetic. [Eitel has "For their families were indeed poor."]
| 286. | 學 | 不 | 輟 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these men studied unceasingly. |
| | Hsüeh$^2$ | pu$^1$ | cho$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these men studied unceasingly. |
| | Learn | not | stop | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | these men studied unceasingly. |
Hsüeh see line 11.
Pu see line 5.
Cho is composed of 車 ch'ê cart as radical, and a common phonetic. It originally meant a petty repair to a cart; hence, to mend. Its modern and usual signification is to stop.
| 287. | 如 | 負 | 薪 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Again, there was one who carried fuel, |
| | Ju$^2$ | fu$^4$ | hsin$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Again, there was one who carried fuel, |
| | Follow | carry | fuel | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Again, there was one who carried fuel, |
Ju see lines 133, 283.
Fu is composed of 人 jen man (not 刀 tao knife, see line 1) written ​somewhat like its archaic form, over 貝 pei pearl-oyster, wealth, as radical; q.d. that which man relies upon, hence to rely upon, and later to bear on the back, to turn the back, to be ungrateful.
Hsin is composed of 艸 ts'ao vegetation as radical, with 新 hsin new as phonetic. It means firewood. [The reference is to 朱買臣 Chu Mai-ch'ên who died B.C. 116. He carried on his studies while engaged in work as a woodcutter.]
| 288. | 如 | 掛 | 角 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and anotner who used horns as pegs. |
| | Ju$^2$ | kua$^4$ | chio$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and anotner who used horns as pegs. |
| | Follow | hang | horn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and anotner who used horns as pegs. |
Ju see lines 133, 283.
Kua is composed of 手 shou hand as radical, with 卦 kua diagram (line 135) as phonetic. Its original form was 挂, and it was said to mean to draw, a picture.
Chio is supposed to be a picture of an animal's horn. It further means angle, corner, and is also read chüeh$^2$ and chiao$^3$. [The reference is to 李密 Li Mi of the 3rd cent. A.D., who when riding his buffalo afield, read from one book and hung the others on the buffalo's horns.]
| 289. | 身 | 雖 | 勞 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Although they toiled with their bodies, |
| | Shên$^1$ | sui$^2$ | lao$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Although they toiled with their bodies, |
| | Body | although | toil | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Although they toiled with their bodies, |
Shên see line 90.
Sui see line 285. Again Eitel has "indeed."
Lao is composed of 力 li strength as radical, and a contraction of 熒 jung or ying blazing as phonetic (line 283). It is explained as using strength to put out a fire, toilsome, laborious. ​
| 290. | 猶 | 苦 | 卓 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | they were nevertheless remarkable for their application. |
| | Yu$^2$ | k'u$^3$ | cho$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | they were nevertheless remarkable for their application. |
| | Still | bitter | surpass | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | they were nevertheless remarkable for their application. |
Yu is composed of 犬 ch'üan dog as radical, with 酋 chiu chief as phonetic. It originally meant a gorilla, and now has a host of meanings, such as yet, even, as, like, equal to, etc.
K'u see line 282.
Cho is composed of 匕 pi spoon and 早 tsao early, but is now classed under radical 十 shih ten. [Eitel translates "They moreover took pains in studying at the same time," evidently reading 學 hsüeh for cho as above, a variant which does not occur in any good edition.]
| 291. | 蘇 | 老 | 泉 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Su Lao-ch'üan, |
| | Su$^1$ | lao$^3$ | ch'üan$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Su Lao-ch'üan, |
| | Su | lao | ch'üan | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Su Lao-ch'üan, |
Su is composed of 艸 ts'ao vegetation as radical, with 穌 su to gather as phonetic. It means a species of thyme, to revive, to come to life again, etc., but is here the surname of a scholar of the 11th cent. A.D. whose personal name was 洵 Hsün. Lao-ch'üan was his fancy name.
Lao see line 24.
Ch'üan was originally a picture of water issuing forth and becoming a stream. It was itself a radical, and not, as now, resolvable into 白 pai white, with 水 shui water as radical.
| 292. | 二 | 十 | 七 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | at the age of twenty-seven, |
| | Erh$^4$ | shih$^2$ | ch'i$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | at the age of twenty-seven, |
| | Two | ten | seven | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | at the age of twenty-seven, |
Erh see title.
Shih see line 45.
Ch'i see line 84. ​
| 293. | 始 | 發 | 憤 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | at length began to show his energy |
| | Shih$^3$ | fa$^1$ | fên$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | at length began to show his energy |
| | Begin | emit | energy | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | at length began to show his energy |
Shih see line 134. The use of shih implies that there was a delay.
Fa is composed of 弓 kung bow, its old radical, and an obsolete phonetic. It is now classed under radical 癶 po back to back.
Fên is composed of 心 hsin heart as radical, and what is now a common phonetic for words read fên or p'ên. The latter however was originally read pi and meant ornamentation. It was composed of 貝 pei pearl-oyster as radical, with 卉 hui vegetation as phonetic.
| 294. | 讀 | 書 | 籍 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and devote himself to the study of books. |
| | Tu$^2$ | shu$^1$ | chi$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and devote himself to the study of books. |
| | Read | book | record | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and devote himself to the study of books. |
Tu see line 110.
Shu see line 114.
Chi is composed of 竹 chu bamboo as radical, and a phonetic said to be a corruption of 借 chieh to borrow; q.d. borrowing bamboo in the sense of tablets to write upon, and so documents, records, register of the people, census, one's native place, etc.
| 295. | 彼 | 既 | 老 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then, when already past the age, |
| | Pi$^3$ | chi$^4$ | lao$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then, when already past the age, |
| | He | already | old | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then, when already past the age, |
Pi see line 273.
Chi see line 159.
Lao see line 24.
| 296. | 猶 | 悔 | 遲 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | he deeply regretted his delay. |
| | Yu$^2$ | hui$^3$ | ch'ih$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | he deeply regretted his delay. |
| | Especially | repent | late | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | he deeply regretted his delay. |
Yu see line 290. ​ Hui is composed of 心 hsin heart as radical, and 每 mei each, every, as phonetic.
Ch'ih is composed of the walking radical and 犀 hsi a rhinoceros as phonetic, and means to walk slowly, like a rhinoceros. Hence it has come to mean late in arriving. [Eitel and Père Zottoli both miss the point here. The former has "And that man, being already old, Yet repented of his dilatoriness." But the word lao here means late in life only as compared with the usual age for beginning, and yet fails to make sense, implying as it does surprise that being old he should still repent. The latter has "illum jam senescentem adhuc pænituit tarditatis." But even the Chinese who age early, do not begin to grow old at twenty-seven, and adhuc is as inaccurate as "yet." The only difficulty is with yu, which here means especially, as in the Book of History; see Legge's Chinese Classics, vol. III, Pt. I, p. 222, note 3.]
| 297. | 爾 | 小 | 生 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You little boys |
| | Erh$^3$ | hsiao$^3$ | shêng$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You little boys |
| | You | small | born | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You little boys |
Erh was originally composed of 爻 yao crosswise, its modern radical, duplicated and read li, its old radical, with 冂 chiung border lands, and 尒 êrh a particle as phonetic. Its modern sense is as given, and it is also used for 而 (line 45).
Hsiao see line 113.
Shêng was supposed under its old form to be a picture of vegetation springing from the earth. Presenting the root idea of birth, production, it means equally well to be born and to give birth to.
| 298. | 宜 | 早 | 思 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | should take thought betimes. |
| | I$^2$ | tsao$^3$ | ssŭ$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | should take thought betimes. |
| | Ought | early | think | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | should take thought betimes. |
I see line 22. ​ Tsao is composed of 日 jih sun as radical, over a contraction of 甲 chia one of the cyclical characters, which refers to sprouting vegetation; hence the beginning of day, early.
Ssŭ see line 124.
| 299. | 若 | 梁 | 灝 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then there was Liang Hao, |
| | Jo$^4$ | liang$^2$ | hao$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then there was Liang Hao, |
| | Then | liang | hao | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Then there was Liang Hao, |
Jo see line 262. It has here the same value as 如 ju in line 283. [Père Zottoli is right this time with quoad, but Eitel is wrong again with "If a man like Liang Hao" and an apodosis which begins at line 305!]
Liang see line 228. Here a surname.
Hao is composed of 水 water as radical, often omitted, with 頁 yeh head and 景 ching bright, white. It is here the personal name of a scholar who was born A.D. 913 but only succeeded in gaining the highest degree in 985 when already seventy-two, after which he lived for twenty years. The author of the San Tzŭ Ching has added the extra ten years.
| 300. | 八 | 十 | 二 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | who at the age of eighty-two, |
| | Pa$^1$ | shih$^2$ | êrh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | who at the age of eighty-two, |
| | Eight | ten | two | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | who at the age of eighty-two, |
Pa see line 88.
Shih see line 45.
Erh see title.
| 301. | 對 | 大 | 廷 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | made his replies in the great hall, |
| | Tui$^4$ | ta$^4$ | t'ing$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | made his replies in the great hall, |
| | Reply | great | hall | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | made his replies in the great hall, |
Tui was originally composed of 寸 ts'un inch, and an obsolete word meaning luxuriant, the old radical, over 口 k'ou a mouth. ​It meant to answer questions, a test first applied to candidates for the highest degree by the fourth Emperor of the Han dynasty, B.C. 179—156. His Majesty however objected to the appearance of "mouth" in the character, on the ground that replies should not be too long-winded, and he accordingly substituted 士 shih scholar, with which the word has been written ever since. [Père Zottoli makes a grave mistake in translating the line "coram augusta aula." He has apparently been misled by the later senses of tui, namely opposite to, in the presence of.]
Ta see line 127.
T'ing is the audience-chamber, the Court, the hall in which the final examination was held.
| 302. | 魁 | 多 | 士 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and came out first among many scholars. |
| | K'uei$^2$ | to$^1$ | shih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and came out first among many scholars. |
| | First | many | scholar | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and came out first among many scholars. |
K'uei is composed of 斗 tou a ladle or dipper as radical, with 鬼 kuei disembodied spirits as phonetic. It originally meant a soup-ladle. How it came to mean chief, eminent, etc., is difficult to say,
To is composed of 夕 hsi evening duplicated, and means reiterated, one upon another. Evening is said to have been chosen because evenings come one after another in succession; hence many.
Shih see line 273.
| 303. | 彼 | 晚 | 成 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | thus late he had succeeded, |
| | Pi$^3$ | wan$^3$ | ch'êng$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | thus late he had succeeded, |
| | He | late | complete | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | thus late he had succeeded, |
Pi see line 273.
Wan is composed of 日 (line 52) as radical, with 免 (line 278) as phonetic, 既 (line 159) is another reading.
Ch'êng see line 26. ​
| 304. | 眾 | 稱 | 異 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | all men pronounced him a prodigy. |
| | Chung$^4$ | c'hêng$^1$ | i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | all men pronounced him a prodigy. |
| | Crowd | entitle | strange | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | all men pronounced him a prodigy. |
Chung is composed of three 人 jen men, three persons constituting a crowd according to Chinese law, with 目 mu eye on its side as radical.
Ch'êng see line 186.
I is composed of 畀 pi to give, combined with 廾 kung the hands folded. It originally meant to divide, and is now classed under radical 田 t'ien fields.
| 305. | 爾 | 小 | 生 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You little boys |
| | Erh$^3$ | hsiao$^3$ | shêng$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You little boys |
| | You | small | born | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You little boys |
Erh see line 297.
Hsiao see line 113.
Shêng see line 297.
| 306. | 宜 | 立 | 志 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | should make up your minds to work. |
| | I$^2$ | li$^4$ | chih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | should make up your minds to work. |
| | Ought | establish | intention | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | should make up your minds to work. |
I see line 22.
Li is composed of 大 ta great and 一 i a line representing the ground, q.d. a great man taking up his stand. It originally meant to stand, and so to make to stand, to raise.
Chih was originally composed of 心 hsin heart as radical, with 之 chih to reach as phonetic, and was explained as that which the heart (= mind) reaches, will, purpose, determination, etc. The words "to work," necessary to make the translation intelligible, are sufficiently implied by chih. ​
| 307. | 瑩 | 八 | 歲 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Jung, at eight years of age, |
| | Jung$^2$ | pa$^1$ | sui$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Jung, at eight years of age, |
| | Jung | eight | year | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Jung, at eight years of age, |
Jung is composed of 玉 yu jade as radical, with a common phonetic (lines 283, 289), and means bright, lustrous. It was the personal name of 祖瑩 Tsu Jung, 6th cent. A.D., a precocious youth who at the age of eight 能通詩書 nêng t'ung shih shu had mastered not only the Odes but also the Book of History (line 135). Also read ying$^2$.
Pa see line 88.
Sui see line 37.
| 308. | 能 | 咏 | 詩 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could compose poetry. |
| | Nêng$^2$ | yung$^3$ | shih$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could compose poetry. |
| | Able | recite | poetry | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could compose poetry. |
Nêng see line 34.
Yung is another form of 詠 in line 158.
Shih see line 135. [It is very tempting to render this line by "could recite Odes" as has been done by Bridgman and others; but yung shih is specially used as translated above, and this meaning is adopted in the commentary of Ho Hsing-ssŭ. The "humming over" of lines of verse is moreover common to all poets in China. Eitel has "Was able to make rhymes and recite poetry" which cannot under any circumstances be right.]
| 309. | 泌 | 七 | 歲 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Pi, at seven years of age, |
| | Pi$^4$ | ch'i$^1$ | sui$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Pi, at seven years of age, |
| | Pi | seven | year | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Pi, at seven years of age, |
Pi is composed of 水 shui water as radical, with 必 pi must (not 心 hsin heart with a dash across it, but 八 pa to divide and 弋 i a stake) as phonetic. It is here the personal name of ​李泌 Li Pi, A.D. 722—789, a famous scholar and bibliophile.
Ch'i see line 84.
Sui see line 37.
| 310. | 能 | 賦 | 碁 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could make an epigram on wei-ch'i. |
| | Nêng$^2$ | fu$^4$ | ch'i$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could make an epigram on wei-ch'i. |
| | Able | epigram | chequers | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | could make an epigram on wei-ch'i. |
Nêng see line 34.
Fu is composed of 貝 pei pearl-oyster as radical, with 武 wu martial (line 189) as phonetic. It originally meant to collect, and then came to mean to spread out, and is also the name of an irregular kind of metrical composition. It here refers to a short epigram composed impromptu, at the command of the Emperor, on the characteristics of the game of 圍碁 wei-ch'i in which his Majesty was indulging.
Ch'i is composed of 石 shih stone as radical, with 其 ch'i that (line 169) as phonetic, and stands for wei ch'i or the game of war. [Père Zottoli renders fu by "explanare," which would be unsatisfactory but for his accompanying note. Eitel has "Was able to present an essay written on the spot when beholding a game of chess." What he presented was a four-line epigram, based upon the squareness of the board, the roundness of the pips with which the game is played, their movements when alive, their quiescence when dead.]
| 311. | 彼 | 穎 | 悟 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These youths were quick of apprehension, |
| | Pi$^3$ | ying$^3$ | wu$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These youths were quick of apprehension, |
| | They | sharp | perceive | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | These youths were quick of apprehension, |
Pi see line 273.
Ying is composed of 禾 ho grain as radical, with 頃 ch'ing the head awry, a land measure of about 15 acres, just now, etc., as phonetic. It originally meant the sharp tip of an ear of grain. ​It is often written 頴 and is classed under radical 頁 yeh head.
Wu is composed of 心 hsin heart as radical, with 吾 wu I as phonetic (line 115).
| 312. | 人 | 稱 | 奇 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and people declared them to be prodigies. |
| | Jen$^2$ | ch'êng$^1$ | ch'i$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and people declared them to be prodigies. |
| | Man | entitle | wonderful | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and people declared them to be prodigies. |
Jen see line 1.
Ch'êng see line 186.
Ch'i is composed of 大 ta great as radical, and k'o can, and has been explained as that which has no match. It is often wrongly written 竒.
| 313. | 爾 | 幼 | 學 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You young learners |
| | Erh$^3$ | yu$^4$ | hsüeh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You young learners |
| | You | young | learn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You young learners |
Erh see line 297.
Yu see line 23.
Hsüeh see line 11.
| 314. | 當 | 效 | 之 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | ought to imitate them. |
| | Tang$^1$ | hsiao$^4$ | chih$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | ought to imitate them. |
| | Ought | imitate | arrive | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | ought to imitate them. |
Tang see line 36.
Hsiao is composed of 攴 p'u to tap as radical, with 交 chiao to blend, to hand over, as phonetic. It originally meant to be like, to resemble.
Chih see line 1.
| 315. | 蔡 | 文 | 姬 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Ts'ai Wên-chi |
| | Ts'ai$^4$ | wên$^2$ | chi$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Ts'ai Wên-chi |
| | Ts'ai | wen | chi | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Ts'ai Wên-chi |
Ts'ai is composed of 艸 ts'ao vegetation as radical, and 祭 chi$^4$ to sacrifice. It is a common surname. ​ Wên see line 44.
Chi is composed of 女 nü woman as radical and an obsolete character which must not be confounded with 臣 ch'ên (line 54). It was the name of a river where the Yellow Emperor (line 180) was born, and was adopted by him as his surname. [Wên-chi is the personal name of 蔡琰 Ts'ai Yen, daughter of a famous statesman, 2nd and 3rd cent. A.D.]
| 316. | 能 | 辨 | 琴 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was able to judge from the sound of a lute. |
| | Nêng$^2$ | pien$^4$ | ch'in$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was able to judge from the sound of a lute. |
| | Able | judge | lute | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was able to judge from the sound of a lute. |
Nêng see line 34.
Pien is composed of two 辛 hsin acrid, which formed an old radical read pien, meaning two guilty persons incriminating one another, with a dot and a line between, and originally meant to decide, hence to discriminate.
Ch'in is composed of two 玉 yü jade, with the dots left out, as radical, and 今 chin present, now, as phonetic. At first the ch'in had only five strings, afterwards seven. [This young lady, who was a skilled musician, was listening to her father playing, when a cat in the room caught a mouse. Instantly she detected a timbre of slaughter in the tones of the instrument, and foretold disaster to her father, which shortly came to pass. Eitel misses the point with "Who was able to distinguish the tone of each string on the lute."]
| 317. | 謝 | 道 | 韞 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Hsieh Tao-yün |
| | Hsieh$^4$ | tao$^4$ | yün$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Hsieh Tao-yün |
| | Hsieh | tao | yün | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Hsieh Tao-yün |
Hsieh is composed of 言 yen words as radical and 射 shê to shoot with a bow as phonetic. It means to thank, etc., but is here a surname. ​ Tao see line 7.
Yün is composed of 韋 wei hides, leather, as radical, and a common phonetic of yün or wên value. [Hsieh Tao-yün was the niece of a famous statesman of the 4th cent. A.D., and a clever poetess.]
| 318. | 能 | 咏 | 吟 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was able to compose verses. |
| | Nêng$^2$ | yung$^3$ | yin$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was able to compose verses. |
| | Able | hum | croon | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was able to compose verses. |
Nêng see line 34.
Yung see line 308.
Yin is composed of 口 k'ou mouth as radical and 今 chin present, now, as phonetic. [Yung yin, like yung shih in line 308, comes to mean "compose poetry" from the habit which Chinese students have of humming over their efforts at verse in a sing-song voice during the process of composition. Eitel is again in error with "Was able to recite poetry and make rhymes," which differs from his rendering of line 308 only in the transposition of words.]
| 319. | 彼 | 女 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They were only girls, |
| | Pi$^3$ | nü$^3$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They were only girls, |
| | They | girl | child | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | They were only girls, |
Pi see line 273.
Nü under its old form was supposed to be the picture of a woman.
Tzŭ see line 11. [Eitel translates "Now these, though females and children" which gives quite a false idea of the syntax of the line. See line 321.]
| 320. | 且 | 聰 | 敏 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | yet they were quick and clever. |
| | Ch'ieh$^3$ | ts'ung$^1$ | min$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | yet they were quick and clever. |
| | Yet | clever | sharp | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | yet they were quick and clever. |
Ch'ieh see line 274.
Ts'ung is composed of 耳 êrh ear as radical, and a common ​phonetic composed of 心 hsin heart or mind below a picture of a window and signifying fluttered, hurried.
Min is composed of 攴 p'u to tap as radical and 每 mei which originally meant luxuriant vegetation and now means each, every.
| 321. | 爾 | 男 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You boys |
| | Erh$^3$ | nan$^2$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You boys |
| | You | male | child | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You boys |
Erh see line 297.
Nan is composed of 田 t'ien fields as radical and li strength; q.d. he who uses strength in the fields, a man.
Tzŭ see line 11. [This line has obvious reference to line 319, and the 子 tzŭ has the same value in each.]
| 322. | 當 | 自 | 警 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | ought to rouse yourselves. |
| | Tang$^1$ | tzŭ$^4$ | ching$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | ought to rouse yourselves. |
| | Ought | self | warn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | ought to rouse yourselves. |
Tang see line 36.
Tzŭ see line 93.
Ching is composed of 言 yen words as radical, with 敬 ching to respect as phonetic. It is also written 儆. [Eitel translates these lines by "How much more then ye, male children, ought ye, whilst young, to accomplish." No such words as "young" or "accomplish" are found in any good edition.]
| 323. | 唐 | 劉 | 晏 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Liu Yen of the T'ang dynasty, |
| | T'ang$^2$ | liu$^2$ | yen$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Liu Yen of the T'ang dynasty, |
| | T'ang | liu | yen | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Liu Yen of the T'ang dynasty, |
T'ang see line 183.
Liu means to slay, but is here a surname. It does not occur in the Shuo Wên, though another form of it has been suspected under radical 金 chin metal. It is now classed under radical 刀 tao knife. ​Yen is composed of 日 jih sun as raidical and 安 an peace as phonetic. It means a bright sky, late, but is here the personal name of a famous statesman. [Eitel wrongly reads it "Ngan."]
| 324. | 方 | 七 | 歲 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | when only seven years of age, |
| | Fang$^1$ | ch'i$^1$ | sui$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | when only seven years of age, |
| | Just | seven | year | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | when only seven years of age, |
Fang see line 14.
Ch'i see line 84.
Sui see line 37. [Liu Yen was a famous scholar and statesman who died A.D. 780. He attracted the notice of the Emperor Ming Huang of the T'ang dynasty, and is said to have been actually advanced as below.]
| 325. | 舉 | 神 | 童 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was ranked as an "inspired child" |
| | Chü$^3$ | shên$^2$ | t'ung$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was ranked as an "inspired child" |
| | Raise | spiritual | boy | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was ranked as an "inspired child" |
Chü is composed of 與 yü (line 87) and 丰 fêng elegant. It is now usually written as above, and is classed under radical 臼 chiu a mortar.
Shên is composed of 示 shih divine manifestation as radical, with 申 shên to extend, to state, as phonetic. It has been adopted by certain denominations of Protestant missionaries in China an equivalent for "God," in opposition to the term 上帝 Shang Ti (line 180) of other Protestants, and to 天主 T'ien Chu Heaven's Ruler (line 152) of the Roman Catholics.
T'ung is composed of what is apparently 立 li to stand as radical, but is really a corruption of an obsolete word meaning guilt with a corruption of 重 chung heavy (not 里 li a village) phonetic. It originally meant a male slave. ​
| 326. | 作 | 正 | 字 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and was appointed a Corrector of Texts. |
| | Tso$^4$ | chêng$^4$ | tzŭ$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and was appointed a Corrector of Texts. |
| | Do | correct | word | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and was appointed a Corrector of Texts. |
Tso see line 123. It here means to do the duties of, to act as.
Chêng is composed of 止 chih to stop as radical, and 一 i one. It is explained as stopping at the boundary; hence right, proper, not awry, etc.
Tzŭ see title. [Corrector of Texts was an office in the Han-lin College or National Academy of leading scholars.]
| 327. | 彼 | 雖 | 幼 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He, although a child, |
| | Pi$^3$ | sui$^2$ | yu$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He, although a child, |
| | He | although | young | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | He, although a child, |
Pi see line 273.
Sui see line 285. Also read sui$^1$.
Yu see line 23.
| 328. | 身 | 已 | 仕 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was already in an official post. |
| | Shên$^1$ | i$^3$ | shih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was already in an official post. |
| | Body | already | official | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | was already in an official post. |
Shên see line 90.
I is classed under radical 己 chi self, from which it differs almost imperceptibly, and means to cease, done, finished, very, excessively, etc. The Shuo Wên has no record of its development.
Shih see line 273.
| 329. | 爾 | 幼 | 學 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You young learners |
| | Erh$^2$ | yu$^4$ | hsüeh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You young learners |
| | You | young | learn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | You young learners |
Erh see line 297.
Yu see line 23.
Hsüeh see line 11. ​
| 330. | 勉 | 而 | 致 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | strive to bring about a like result. |
| | Mien$^3$ | êrh$^2$ | chih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | strive to bring about a like result. |
| | Effort | and | cause | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | strive to bring about a like result. |
Mien see line 278.
Erh see line 45.
Chih is composed of 至 chih (line 94) as radical and phonetic, and 攴 p'u to tap (obsolete). It means to cause to go to, to send, etc.
| 331. | 有 | 為 | 者 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Those who work |
| | Yu$^3$ | wei$^2$ | chê$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Those who work |
| | Have | do | one | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Those who work |
Yu see line 14.
Wei see line 24.
Chê see line 49.
| 332. | 亦 | 若 | 是 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | will also succeed as he did. |
| | I$^4$ | jo$^4$ | shih$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | will also succeed as he did. |
| | Also | like | this | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | will also succeed as he did. |
I is supposed to have been a picture of a man's arms and armpits and meant to gather up as though putting under the arms. It thus came to mean also, even, however, then, etc.
Jo see line 262.
Shih is composed of 日 jih the sun as radical and phonetic, and a corruption of 正 chêng (line 326). It denotes formal existence, subjective, positive, absolute, that which is right, etc. [Eitel renders these lines "For being possessed of activity, or rather that which constitutes it, Is also sure to produce results like these."]
| 333. | 犬 | 守 | 夜 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The dog keeps guard by night; |
| | Ch'üan$^3$ | shou$^3$ | yeh$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The dog keeps guard by night; |
| | Dog | guard | night | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The dog keeps guard by night; |
Ch'üan see line 78. ​ Shou is composed of 宀 mien shelter as radical, with 寸 ts'un an inch, below it. The latter is said to have meant rule, regulation; but it is not clear how this helps to the common sense.
Yeh is composed of 夕 hsi evening as radical, with 亦 i also (line 332) as phonetic. It originally meant to relax, and the time when all the world relaxes is night, the νυχτοζ αμολγω of Homer.
| 334. | 鷄 | 司 | 晨 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the cock proclaims the dawn. |
| | Chi$^1$ | ssŭ$^1$ | ch'ên$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the cock proclaims the dawn. |
| | Cock | rule | dawn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the cock proclaims the dawn. |
Chi see line 78.
Ssŭ is said to be 后 hou a ruler, a prince, turned to face the other way, and is explained as conduct of affairs beyond the precincts of the Court. Hence it has come to mean administration, official, etc.
Ch'ên is composed of 日 jih sun as radical, with 辰 ch'ên heavenly bodies, etc., as phonetic. It is also read shên$^2$.
| 335. | 苟 | 不 | 學 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If foolishly you do not study, |
| | Kou$^3$ | pu$^4$ | hsüeh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If foolishly you do not study, |
| | If | not | learn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If foolishly you do not study, |
Kou see line 5.
Pu see line 5.
Hsüeh see line 11. [The mistake alluded to in line 5 is repeated here by all translators. Eitel has "But you, if you will not study," and Père Zottoli has "Tu si non addiscis," thus omitting altogether the peculiar force of kou. Once more the commentary clenches the point with 若是苟且度日而 etc. jo shih kou ch'eh tu jih êrh, etc., if you foolishly pass your time and etc.] ​
| 336. | 曷 | 為 | 人 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | how can you become men? |
| | Ho$^2$ | wei$^2$ | jen$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | how can you become men? |
| | How | become | man | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | how can you become men? |
Ho is composed of 曰 yüeh to speak and an obsolete phonetic meaning vapour.
Wei see line 24.
Jen see line 1. [Père Zottoli has for this line "qui diceris homo," as though he had mistaken 爲 for 謂.]
| 337. | 蠶 | 吐 | 絲 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The silkworm produces silk, |
| | Ts'an$^2$ | t'u$^3$ | ssŭ$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The silkworm produces silk, |
| | Silkworm | vomit | silk | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | The silkworm produces silk, |
Ts'an is composed of 虫 ch'ung insect, doubled, with a common phonetic.
T'u is composed of 口 k'ou mouth, with 土 t'u earth as phonetic.
Ssŭ see line 87.
| 338. | 蜂 | 釀 | 蜜 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the bee makes honey. |
| | Fêng$^1$ | niang$^4$ | mi$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the bee makes honey. |
| | Bee | ferment | honey | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | the bee makes honey. |
Fêng is composed of 虫 ch'ung insect as radical, with a common phonetic (line 325). It is a generic term for wasps, bees, hornet etc. [The colloquial term for a bee is 蜜蜂 mi fêng; 蜂蜜 fêng mi is honey.]
Niang is composed of 酉 yu which originally meant to make spirit or wine in the 8th moon when the millet is ripe, and is often used as radical in characters connected with wine, with a common phonetic (line 38).
Mi is composed of 虫 ch'ung insect as radical, with a common phonetic (line 309). ​
| 339. | 人 | 不 | 學 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If a man does not learn, |
| | Jen$^2$ | pu$^1$ | hsüeh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If a man does not learn, |
| | Man | not | learn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | If a man does not learn, |
Jen see line 1.
Pu see line 5.
Hsüeh see line 11.
| 340. | 不 | 如 | 物 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | he is not equal to the brutes. |
| | Pu$^1$ | ju$^2$ | wu$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | he is not equal to the brutes. |
| | Not | like | thing | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | he is not equal to the brutes. |
Pu see line 5.
Ju see line 133.
Wu is composed of 牛 niu an ox (line 77) as radical, and 勿 wu not (line 126), as phonetic. It means anything alive or dead other than man. [The Shuo Wên says that ox appears in the composition of thing because the ox is a very big thing; but the association is obviously that of ox with chattel in English. It is worth noting that ox also appears in 件 chien the numerative of things. This is explained by the Shuo Wên as to divide, because an ox is a big thing which can be divided (precisely the same analysis being given of 半 pan half), by the aid of which we can faintly discern the sense of distribution, distributive, etc.]
| 341. | 幼 | 而 | 學 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Learn while young, |
| | Yu$^4$ | êrh$^2$ | hsüeh$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Learn while young, |
| | Young | and | learn | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Learn while young, |
Yu see line 23.
Erh see line 45.
Hsüeh see line 11. ​
| 342. | 壯 | 而 | 行 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and when grown up apply what you have learnt; |
| | Chuang$^4$ | êrh$^2$ | hsing$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and when grown up apply what you have learnt; |
| | Strong | and | act | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and when grown up apply what you have learnt; |
Chuang is composed of 士 shih scholar (line 302) as radical, with 爿, which is really a contraction of 牀 ch'uang a bedstead, as phonetic.
Erh see line 45.
Hsing see line 67. [This very obvious sense is entirely missed by Eitel who translates, "One, youthful and studious as well, Will become grown-up and active as well."]
| 343. | 上 | 致 | 君 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | influencing the sovereign above; |
| | Shang$^4$ | chih$^4$ | chün$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | influencing the sovereign above; |
| | Above | cause | ruler | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | influencing the sovereign above; |
Shang see line 182.
Chih see line 330.
Chün see line 54.
| 344. | 下 | 澤 | 民 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | benefiting the people below. |
| | Hsia$^4$ | tsê$^2$ | min$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | benefiting the people below. |
| | Below | fertilise | people | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | benefiting the people below. |
Hsia see line 192.
Tsê is composed of 水 shui water as radical, with a phonetic read i which appears however in a small group of characters read tsê (line 10). It means moist, a marsh, fat, to enrich, etc.
Min is supposed to have been a picture, under its old form, of a crowd. It is now classed under radical 氏 shih (line 165).
| 345. | 揚 | 名 | 聲 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Make a name for yourselves, |
| | Yang$^2$ | ming$^2$ | shêng$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Make a name for yourselves, |
| | Raise | name | sound | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Make a name for yourselves, |
Yang see lines 16, 172.
Ming see line 16. ​ Shêng is composed of 耳 êrh ear as radical, with what was the original character for shêng as phonetic, still used, minus the 殳, as a shorthand form. It means regulated sound as opposed to noise, music, accent, tone, etc., and is here part of a combination which means fame.
| 346. | 顯 | 父 | 母 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and glorify your father and mother, |
| | Hsien$^3$ | fu$^4$ | mu$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and glorify your father and mother, |
| | Display | father | mother | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and glorify your father and mother, |
Hsien is composed of 頁 yeh head as radical, with what was the original character for hsien as phonetic, the latter explained as looking at silk in the sun. It is defined as the head brightly ornamented; hence to bring into notice, to make illustrious, to appear, etc.
Fu see line 18.
Mu see line 9.
| 347. | 光 | 於 | 前 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | shed lustre on your ancestors, |
| | Kuang$^1$ | yü$^2$ | ch'ien$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | shed lustre on your ancestors, |
| | Bright | on | before | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | shed lustre on your ancestors, |
Kuang see line 51.
Yü see line 35.
Ch'ien is composed of 刀 tao knife as radical, with a contraction or corruption of the old form of this character, which was 止 chih (line 120) to stop, over 舟 chou a boat. It means before, either of time or place.
| 348. | 裕 | 於 | 後 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | enrich your posterity. |
| | Yü$^4$ | yü$^2$ | hou$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | enrich your posterity. |
| | Abundant | on | after | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | enrich your posterity. |
Yü is composed of 衣 i clothes as radical, with 谷 ku a valley as phonetic. It is explained as clothes and chattels in plenty. ​ Yü see line 35.
Hou is composed of 彳 to step with the left foot (line 67), and combination of two obsolete radicals which is supposed to yield the sense of tied on behind. It is used either of time or place.
| 349. | 人 | 遺 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Men bequeath to their children |
| | Jen$^2$ | i$^2$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Men bequeath to their children |
| | Man | bequeath | child | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Men bequeath to their children |
Jen see line 1.
I is composed of the walking radical and 貴 kuei (line 8) as phonetic. It means to lose, to leave behind, etc.
Tzŭ see line 11. [Eitel translates, "Whilst men leave behind them their sons"! Of course tzŭ is a dative, and ying in the next line is the accusative after i.]
| 350. | 金 | 滿 | 籯 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | coffers of gold; |
| | Chin$^1$ | man$^3$ | ying$^2$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | coffers of gold; |
| | Metal | full | coffer | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | coffers of gold; |
Chin see line 66.
Man is composed of 水 shui water as radical, with a phonetic.
Ying is composed of 竹 chu bamboo, with a phonetic which appears coupled with various radicals according to the sense; here with 貝 pei pearl-oyster, and in line 211 with 女 nü woman.
| 351. | 我 | 教 | 子 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | I teach you children |
| | Wo$^3$ | chiao$^4$ | tzŭ$^3$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | I teach you children |
| | I | teach | child | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | I teach you children |
Wo see line 147.
Chiao see line 5.
Tzŭ see line 11. ​
| 352. | 惟 | 一 | 經 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | only this one book. |
| | Wei$^2$ | i$^1$ | ching$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | only this one book. |
| | Only | one | classic | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | only this one book. |
Wei see line 264.
I see line 45.
Ching see title. [Lines 349—352 are formed upon an old proverb which is given in the biography of 韋賢 Wei Hsien, a statesman and scholar of the 1st cent. B.C. Hence the use of the word ching, which would otherwise seem presumptuous.]
| 353. | 勤 | 有 | 功 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Diligence has its reward; |
| | Ch'in$^2$ | yu$^3$ | kung$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Diligence has its reward; |
| | Diligent | have | merit | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Diligence has its reward; |
Ch'in see line 270.
Yu see line 14.
Kung is composed of 力 li strength as radical, with 工 kung labour as phonetic and part contributor to the sense, which was originally effort for the benefit of a State.
| 354. | 戲 | 無 | 益 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | play has no advantages. |
| | Hsi$^4$ | wu$^2$ | i$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | play has no advantages. |
| | Play | not | add | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | play has no advantages. |
Hsi is composed of 戈 ko a spear as radical, with a phonetic meaning an earthen sacrificial vessel. The original sense of the word is doubtful. It now means play of a trifling kind, and is also applied to stage-plays.
Wu see line 277.
I is composed of 皿 min dishes as radical, and a corruption of 水 shui water, which taken together are supposed to yield the idea of fullness, abundance, the original sense of this character. ​
| 355. | 戒 | 之 | 哉 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Oh, be on your guard, |
| | Chieh$^4$ | chih$^1$ | tsai$^1$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Oh, be on your guard, |
| | Guard | it | oh | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Oh, be on your guard, |
Chieh is composed of 廾 kung two hands grasping 戈 ko a spear, as if in readiness to meet an attack. The former was its old radical, but it was classed by the editors of K'ang Hsi's standard dictionary under ko.
Chih see line 1.
Tsai is composed of 口 k'ou mouth as radical, with a common phonetic (line 151). It is a particle of exclamatory value, sometimes interrogative.
| 356. | 宜 | 勉 | 力 | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and put forth your strength. |
| | I$^2$ | mien$^3$ | li$^4$ | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and put forth your strength. |
| | Ought | effort | strength | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | and put forth your strength. |
I see line 22.
Mien see line 278.
Li is supposed to be the picture of a muscle.