The ethical intention of antient novel annotations is generally considered as preaching based on Confucian ethics.The formations of this intention vary in novels of different periods. As for the annotations of the novels of Ming Dynasty, the formation of ethical intentions of novel annotations is related to three aspects. Firstly, it is related to the principle of Confucian classical annotations called “sublime words with deep meaning”, the value orientation in the tradition of studies on The Analects and the grammatical implication of writings-ology. Secondly, it is related to not only the literati, who regarded novel annotations as a way to ease their pain, but also the booksellers, promoting their block-printed editions through the ethical enlightenment inside. Thirdly, it is related to the textual ways, such as theme interpretation, the analysis of character and plot, the exploration of author intention and the reconstruction of ethic, etc.