愼

A phono-semantic compound:

心 (“heart, mind”) — semantic component

眞 (“true”) — phonetic component

The character expresses the idea of holding truth firmly in one’s heart, which led to the meanings careful, prudent, and self-restrained.

신중 (愼重) — cautious; prudent

근신 (謹愼) — to behave carefully; self-restraint

삼신 (三愼) — the three cautions (speech, action, thought)

신독 (愼獨) — moral vigilance when alone

신언 (愼言) — caution in speech

In Korean personal names, 愼 is registered as a polyphonic character:

신 (common reading)

진 (rare, officially recognized in 2022)

Historically, the 진 reading was associated with a modified glyph, but modern standards now allow 愼 itself for both readings.

愼 vs. 謹:

愼 — inner caution, mental vigilance

謹 — outward carefulness, respectful behavior

They are often paired together (謹愼) to express complete moral restraint.

愼 is a key virtue in Confucian ethics, especially in:

- self-cultivation

- governance

- moral autonomy

The concept of 愼獨 (“being cautious even when alone”) is foundational in East Asian moral philosophy.

Classical citations:

《論語·學而》 (The Analects, 1:1)

「愼終追遠，民德歸厚矣。」

“If one is careful to the end and reverent toward the distant past, the people’s virtue will return to sincerity.”

《書經·大禹謨》 (The Book of Documents)

「愼乃攸好。」

“Caution is what you should cherish.”

《荀子·修身》 (Xunzi)

「君子以愼獨。」

“The noble person is cautious even when alone.”

昚 (U+661A)

眘 (U+7718)

㥲 (U+3972)

These variants appear in classical texts and name usage, but 愼 / 慎 is the standard form today.