Mao Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Heart (xīn)
愛
Kangxi stroke count: 13
Page 395, Entry 02
Ancient form. Pronounced ai (falling tone). Refers to the manifestation of benevolence. Formed from Heart and the phonetic element for the sound of breathing. Also means intimacy, grace, kindness, pity, favor, fondness, stinginess, longing, and hidden feelings. Also, according to the Commentary on the Chapter on Remonstrance in the Classic of Filial Piety (Xiaojing), love is a general term for serving superiors. Also, according to the Law of Posthumous Titles, being stingy in bestowing gifts is called ai. Also a surname. Song dynasty governor Ai Shen. Also rhymes with wei (falling tone), pronounced wei (falling tone). From the Book of Odes (Shijing), Small Odes: The heart loves, how can it not be spoken of? From the Chu Elegies (Chuci), Nine Declarations: The world is murky and turbid, none understand me, the human heart cannot be spoken of. Knowing death cannot be avoided, I wish not to be stingy. From Yuan Hong, Praise of Famous Officials: The vast sea overflows, jade and stone are shattered together. The enlightened person practices both, abandoning the self to preserve love. From Xie Zhan, Response to Lingyun: Seeking the path, the paths already diverge; approaching the principle, the principles are already opposed. The silk road has constant sorrows, how much more so in the place one loves. The small seal script is written as.