古人象形声意辨恶良
The ancients used sound and image to distinguish good from evil.
古 十10 mouths 口 10 generations i.e. the ANCIENT
人 man: a stick figure representing any PERSON
象 IMAGE: it’s a stylized and simplified picture of an elephant
形 FORM; the object on the left it’s shadow on the right
声 SOUND. it’s ancient chimes below being played by a master 士 above
意 IDEA: it is the image of a tongu above one’s speaking mouth in turn above one’s heart. The expression of an idea.
辨 BIAN4 a sword splitting apart two punitive daggars. “To distinguish.”
恶 evil e3
良 good liang2
Some things look good and sound evil. Other things look evil but sound good. Few things look bad and sound even worse. The fewest things look beautiful and sound true.