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 | these are the profundities of the Book of History. | |
| Shu1 | chih1 | ao4 | |||
| Book | 's | mystery |
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 | Our Duke of Chou | |
| Wo3 | chou1 | kung1 | |||
| I | Chou | duke |
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
