The I Ching Speaks!

     31.  Hsien / Influence (Wooing)

          ---- ----
          ----------     above     Tui    The Joyous, Lake
          ----------
          ----------
          ---- ----     below     K^en    Keeping Still, Mountain
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          Influence. Success.
          Perseverance furthers.
          To take a maiden to wife brings good fortune.

     The Image

          A lake on the mountain:
          The image of Influence.
          Thus the superior man encourages people to approach him
          By his readiness to receive them.

     The Lines

          Nine in the third place means:
          The influence shows itself in the thighs.
          Holds to that which follows it.
          To continue is humiliating.

     ()   Nine in the fourth place means:
          Perseverance brings good fortune.
          Remorse disappears.
          If a man is agitated in mind,
          And his thoughts go hither and thither,
          Only those friends
          On whom he fixes his conscious thoughts
          Will follow.


     8.   Pi / Holding Together [Union]

          ---- ----
          ----------     above     K'an   The Abysmal, Water
          ---- ----
          ---- ----
          ---- ----     below     K'un   The Receptive, Earth
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          Holding Together brings good fortune.
          Inquire of the oracle once again
          Whether you possess sublimity, constancy, and perseverance;
          Then there is no blame.
          Those who are uncertain gradually join.
          Whoever comes too late
          Meets with misfortune.

     The Image

          On the earth is water:
          The image of Holding Together.
          Thus the kings of antiquity
          Bestowed the different states as fiefs
          And cultivated friendly relations
          With the feudal lords.