恕

Phono-semantic compound:

心 (“heart, mind”) – semantic, indicating emotions, compassion;

如 (“to be like, as if”) – phonetic element.

Originally conveyed the sense of placing one’s own heart in another’s place → empathy, forbearance, and forgiveness.

Semantic range:

- to forgive, to pardon, to excuse;

- to be tolerant, broad-minded, magnanimous;

恕罪 (서죄) – to forgive a crime, pardon an offense

容恕 (용서) – forgiveness, tolerance

恩恕 (은서) – gracious pardon, merciful forgiveness

寬恕 (관서) – magnanimous forgiveness, leniency

Confucius considered 恕 as a guiding principle of life—reciprocity and empathy. It extends beyond simple “forgiveness” to signify ethical tolerance and compassion in human relationships. Often expressed as “己所不欲，勿施於人” (“Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire”).