盜

盜 is a compound ideograph combining:

㳄 — the original form of 涎 (saliva, drool), conveying the idea of desire or greed (“to covet”).

皿 (그릇 명) — a dish or vessel, symbolizing the object of desire or possession.

Together they form the image of a person coveting and reaching toward a vessel of goods — representing the act of taking for selfish gain.

Explanation from the Shuowen Jiezi (説文解字 shuōwén jiězì):

「盜，私利物也。从㳄，㳄欲皿者。」

“A thief is one who takes material gain for himself.

The character follows 㳄, meaning ‘to covet,’ and 皿, meaning ‘a vessel or container.’”

Thus, 盜 originally described desire-driven appropriation of property, later broadening to mean any act of theft or moral deceit.

盜賊 (도적) — thief, robber

海盜 (해적) — pirate

盜用 (도용) — misappropriation, plagiarism

偷盜 (투도) — stealing, theft

強盜 (강도) — armed robber

In classical Chinese thought 盜 carried strong moral condemnation. It was not only the act of theft but a metaphor for moral corruption — taking what does not belong to oneself, whether material or spiritual.

「民不畏盜，而畏君。」

“The people fear not thieves, but rulers who steal from them.” — Mencius (孟子)

Thus, 盜 extended beyond criminal theft to criticize tyranny, intellectual plagiarism, or spiritual hypocrisy.

In Confucian ethics stealing (盜) violates 仁 (benevolence) and 義 (righteousness) — it represents not just legal guilt but the breaking of human trust (信).

Hence, moral texts often use 盜 figuratively, e.g. “盜心” (a thieving heart), for one corrupted by greed or deceit.