Influence | ||
Upper Trigram: | Tui, Joy, a Lake | |
Lower Trigram: | Ken, Inaction, a Mountain | |
Governing Rulers: | Nine in the fourth place Nine in the fifth place |
The Image
A lake on top of the mountain: the image of Hsien. The superior man, in accordance with this, keeps his mind free from pre-occupation, and open to receive the influences of others.
Miscellaneous Signs
Effect quick answering cause, in Hsien appears; While Heng denotes continuance for years.
The Judgement
Hsien indicates that, on the fulfilment of the conditions implied in it, there will be free course and success. Its advantageousness will depend on the being firm and correct, as in marrying a young lady. There will be good fortune.
Commentary
Hsien means mutual influence. The weak trigram above, and the strong one below; their influences moving and responding to one another, and thereby forming a union; the repression of the one and the satisfaction of the other, where male is placed below female: all these things convey the notion of a 'free and successful course on the fulfilment of the conditions implied in it, while the advantage will depend on the being firm and correct, as in marrying a young lady; and there will be good fortune'.
Heaven and earth exert their influences, and there ensue the transformations and production of all things. The sages influence the minds of men, and the result is harmony and peace all under the sky. Looking at the method and issues of those influences, the true character of heaven and earth and of all things can be seen.
Hsien means mutual influence. The weak trigram above, and the strong one below; their influences moving and responding to one another, and thereby forming a union; the repression of the one and the satisfaction of the other, where male is placed below female: all these things convey the notion of a 'free and successful course on the fulfilment of the conditions implied in it, while the advantage will depend on the being firm and correct, as in marrying a young lady; and there will be good fortune'.
Heaven and earth exert their influences, and there ensue the transformations and production of all things. The sages influence the minds of men, and the result is harmony and peace all under the sky. Looking at the method and issues of those influences, the true character of heaven and earth and of all things can be seen.
The Lines and commentaries
Bottom six
Showing one moving his great toes.
'He moves his great toe': his mind is set on what is beyond.
Six in the second placeShowing one moving the calves of his legs. There will be evil. If he abide, there will be good fortune.
'Though there would be evil, yet, if he abide quiet in his place, there will be good fortune': through compliance with the circumstances of his condition and place, there will be no injury.
Nine in the third placeShowing one moving his thighs, and keeping close hold of those who follow him. Going forward in this way will cause regret.
'He moves his thighs': he still does not want to rest in his place. His will is set on (following) those who follow him. What he holds in his grasp is low.
Nine in the fourth placeShowing firm correctness which will lead to good fortune, and prevent all occasion for repentance. If its subject be unsettled in his thoughts and movements, only his friends will follow his purpose.
See also: Ta Chuan - Section 2, Chapter V-1.
'Firm correctness will lead to good fortune, and prevent all occasion for repentance': there has not yet been any harm from a selfish wish to influence.
'He is unsettled in his thoughts and movements': his power to influence is not yet either brilliant or great.
Nine in the fifth place'He is unsettled in his thoughts and movements': his power to influence is not yet either brilliant or great.
Showing one moving his lower neck. There will be no occasion for repentance.
'He moves his lower neck': his aim is branching off into the trivial.
Top-most sixShowing one moving his jaws and tongue.
'He moves his jaws and tongue': he only talkes with loquacious mouth.