Yin Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Roof (mián)
Broad; Kangxi character strokes: 15; Page 292, Entry 01
Ancient character for complete.
Pronounced kuan (level tone).
Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters): A roof that is wide and large. Derived from the radical for roof, with the sound component of the character for amaranth. The sound of the component is huan; in modern texts, it is written in a simplified form as broad. Another interpretation suggests it means relaxed or slow.
Guangyun (Broad Rhymes): To cherish; abundant. Also, to stretch or relax.
Book of Changes (Yijing), Hexagram Qian: To conduct oneself with a broad and thick heart.
Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Wei: Broad, grand, and at ease. Commentary: Broad means grand and generous.
Book of Documents (Shangshu), Canon of Shun: To respectfully spread the five teachings lies in being broad and thick.
Zengyun (Augmented Rhymes): Not severe.
Book of Documents (Shangshu), Counsels of the Great Yu: In governing subjects, be simple; in managing the people, be broad.
Book of Documents (Shangshu), Prince Chen: Broad, harmonious, and possessing method; composed and concordant.
Zuo Commentary (Zuo Zhuan), 20th Year of Duke Zhao: Zichan said to Zidashu: Only a person of virtue can use broadness and harmony to convince the people; those of lesser virtue are not as effective as those who are severe. It is also said that one should use broadness to assist severity, and use severity to assist broadness, so that governance may be harmonious.
Relaxed.
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Han Fei: When things are relaxed, one favors those who value reputation; when things are critical, one employs warriors clad in armor and helmets.
To forgive.
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Lian Po: I am a coarse and lowly person; I did not expect that you, General, would forgive me to this extent.
A surname.
Also pronounced quan (level tone) to rhyme with xuan.
Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Wei: Built a wooden house by the mountain stream; the sage’s heart is broad and wide. Rhymes with xuan.
Also pronounced quan (level tone) to rhyme with the character for circle.
Han Yu, Lamenting Myself: In the past, Yan Hui nearly reached the level of a sage, remaining peaceful and broad even in poverty. This was a minor matter for a philosopher, yet Confucius praised his virtue.