The I Ching Speaks!



     3.   Chun / Difficulty at the Beginning

          ---- ----
          ----------     above     K'an   The Abysmal, Water
          ---- ----
          ---- ----
          ---- ----     below     Ch^en   The Arousing, Thunder
          ----------

     The Judgement

          Difficulty at the Beginning works supreme success,
          Furthering through perseverance.
          Nothing should be undertaken.
          It furthers one to appoint helpers.

     The Image

          Clouds and thunder:
          The image of Difficulty at the Beginning.
          Thus the superior man
          Brings order out of confusion.

     The Lines

     ()   Nine at the beginning means:
          Hesitation and hindrance.
          It furthers one to remain persevering.
          It furthers one to appoint helpers.

          Six in the second place means:
          Difficulties pile up.
          Horse and wagon part.
          He is not a robber;
          He wants to woo when the time comes.
          The maiden is chaste,
          She does not pledge herself.
          Ten years--then she pledges herself.

          Six in the third place means:
          Whoever hunts deer without the forester
          Only loses his way in the forest.
          The superior man understands the signs of the time
          And prefers to desist.
          To go on brings humiliation.


     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.