Xun Can (c. 209–237),[1] courtesy name Fengqian, was a Chinese xuanxue philosopher of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China.
[2] Xun Can's ancestral home was in Yingchuan Commandery (穎川郡; around present-day Xuchang, Henan).
"[4] Xun Can replied, "The intricacies of human understanding are too complex to be expressed in the forms of images and words.
This means that the intricacies of human understanding not only cannot be fully expressed through images and words, but also cannot be easily understood.
In his opinion, his father focused on maintaining his image as a morally virtuous and upright man who assumed the moral high ground, whereas his third cousin was not concerned about his external image and was careful about maintaining a low profile and keeping to himself.
[7] In the early Taihe era (227–233) of Cao Rui's reign, Xun Can travelled to the imperial capital Luoyang to meet Fu Gu and have a discussion with him.
Pei Hui (裴徽), the Inspector of Ji Province, stepped in to mediate and successfully helped them resolve their misunderstandings.
Fu Gu went to comfort Xun Can at his wife's funeral and saw that he was extremely grieved even though he did not shed tears.
[10] Xun Can's personality and outlook on life made it difficult for him to socialise with ordinary people.
[11] The Liu Song dynasty official Yuan Can admired Xun Can so much that he changed his given name from "Minsun" (愍孫) to "Can" (粲).