The I Ching Speaks!

     4.   M^eng / Youthful Folly

          ----------
          ---- ----     above     K^en    Keeping Still, Mountain
          ---- ----
          ---- ----
          ----------     below     K'an   The Abysmal, Water
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          Youthful Folly has success.
          It is not I who seek the young fool;
          The young fool seeks me.
          At the first oracle I inform him.
          If he asks two or three times, it is importunity.
          If he importunes, I give him no information.
          Perseverance furthers.

     The Image

          A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain:
          The image of Youth.
          Thus the superior man fosters his character
          By thoroughness in all that he does.

     The Lines

     ()   Nine in the second place means:
          To bear with fools in kindliness brings good fortune.
          To know how to take women
          Brings good fortune.
          The son is capable of taking charge of the household.

          Nine at the top means:
          In punishing folly
          It does not further one
          To commit transgressions.
          The only thing that furthers
          Is to prevent transgressions.


     2.   K'un / The Receptive

          ---- ----
          ---- ----     above     K'un   The Receptive, Earth
          ---- ----
          ---- ----
          ---- ----     below     K'un   The Receptive, Earth
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          The Receptive brings about sublime success,
          Furthering through the perseverance of a mare.
          If the superior man undertakes something and tries to lead,
          He goes astray;
          But if he follows, he finds guidance.
          It is favorable to find friends in the west and south,
          To forego friends in the east and north.
          Quiet perseverance brings good fortune.

     The Image

          The earth's condition is receptive devotion.
          Thus the superior man who has breadth of character
          Carries the outer world.