Mao Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Heart (xīn) Character: Xian Kangxi strokes: 17 Page 404, Entry 37 Pronounced xian. Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen): Xian means biased or distorted. Xian refers to those who are glib and flattering to superiors; they are sycophants. Book of Documents (Shujing), Chapter on the Establishment of Government (Lizheng): Do not employ sycophants. Also, in the Instructions on the Jiung (Jiongming): Do not be ashamed of the sycophants. Pronounced qian. Guangya: Strong. Another interpretation: biased or distorted. Also, xian refers to one who has many intentions. Pronounced qian. Also refers to being biased or distorted. Pronounced xian. Originally written as a variant form (xian). Guangya: Biased or distorted. Sometimes also written with the heart radical. Also used interchangeably with a variant form. Cai Shen Commentary on the Book of Documents: To call a petty person a xian is to describe their slick and clever manner.