Mao Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Heart (xīn)
忍; Kangxi stroke count: 7; Page 376, Entry 04
Pronounced ren (rising tone). According to Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it means to be able. Xu Xuan explains that able is pronounced here as the sound of endure. The character is formed by heart and blade. Long Jian (Changjian) explains that it is like a blade piercing the heart, meaning to endure. King Wu of Zhou’s Inscription states: Endure for a moment to preserve your body.
Also, in Broad Rhymes (Guangyun), it is explained as meaning tough, referring to inner tolerance and endurance. The Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), First Year of Duke Zhao, records: The State of Lu governs the country through mutual tolerance and restraint. It also refers to being content with performing inhumane acts, which is called ren (to be cruel).
The Book of Odes (Shijing), Greater Odes (Daya), says: That cruel heart, only focused on repeated evil. The Book of Odes (Shijing), Lesser Odes (Xiaoya), says: The noble person’s state of mind, why is it so cruel.
Also, ren-ren is a term meaning something similar to not having the heart to do something. The History of the Later Han (Houhanshu), Biography of Cui Qi, records: Holding feelings of intolerance in the heart. It is also a surname.
Also pronounced ren (falling tone), sounding the same as ren (to measure depth). It refers to something that is firm yet soft; the original character is ren (meaning pliable). It is also written as ren.
The Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Earth Offices, Mountain Forester commentary, states: Soft and enduring, also used interchangeably with blade.
The Book of Odes (Shijing), Lesser Odes (Xiaoya), Commentary on the Soft and Pliable Trees, states: Soft and tough trees have an appearance of being pliable.
The Explanation of Sounds (Shiwen) notes the pronunciation: ren is pronounced as blade.
The Book of Rites (Liji), Monthly Ordinances, Commentary on Collecting Reeds, states: At this time, it is soft and tough, identical in meaning to the characters for tough and pliable.
