The I Ching Speaks!



     48.  Ching / The Well

          ---- ----
          ----------     above     K'an   The Abysmal, Water
          ---- ----
          ----------
          ----------     below     Sun    The Gentle, Wind
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          The Well. The town may be changed,
          But the well cannot be changed.
          It neither decreases nor increases.
          They come and go and draw from the well.
          If one gets down almost to the water
          And the rope does not go all the way,
          Or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune.

     The Image

          Water over wood: the image of the Well.
          Thus the superior man encourages the people at their work,
          And exhorts them to help one another.

     The Lines

          Six in the fourth place means:
          The well is being lined. No blame.


     28.  Ta Kuo / Preponderance of the Great

          ---- ----
          ----------     above     Tui    The Joyous, Lake
          ----------
          ----------
          ----------     below     Sun    The Gentle, Wind
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          Preponderance of the Great.
          The ridgepole sags to the breaking point.
          It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
          Success.

     The Image

          The lake rises above the trees:
          The image of Preponderance of the Great.
          Thus the superior man, when he stands alone,
          Is unconcerned,
          And if he has to renounce the world,
          He is undaunted.