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Ming (indicates
that in the case which it presupposes) there will be progress and success. I do
not (go and) seek the youthful and inexperienced, but he comes and seeks me.
When he shows (the sincerity that marks) the first recourse to divination, I
instruct him. If he apply a second and third time, that is troublesome; and I
do not instruct the troublesome. There will be advantage in being firm and
correct.
As A'un shows
us plants struggling from beneath the surface, Mang suggests to us the small
and undeveloped appeaiance which they then present; and hence it came to be the
symbol of youthful inexperience and ignorance. The object of the hexagram is
to show how such a condition should be dealt with by the parent and ruler,
whose authority and duty are represented by the second and sixth, the two
undivided lines. All between the first and last sentences of the Thwan must be
taken as an oracular response received by the party divining on the subject of
enlightening the youthful ignorant. This accounts for its being more than
usually enigmatical, and for its being partly rhythmical. See Appendix I, in
loc.
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1. The first
line, divided, (has respect to) the dispelling of ignorance. It will be
advantageous to use punishment (for that purpose), and to remove the shackles
(from the mind). But going on in that way (of punishment) will give occasion
for regret. | The subject of
the first line, weak, and at the bottom of the figure, is in the grossest
ignorance. Let him be punished. If punishment avail to loosen the shackles and
manacles from the mind, well, if not, and punishment be perseveied with, the
effect will be bad. |  |
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2. The second
line, undivided, (shows its subject) exercising forbearance with the ignorant,
in which there will be good fortune; and admitting (even) the goodness of
women, which will also be fortunate. (He maybe described also as) a son able to
(sustain the burden of) his family. | On the subject of
the second line, strong, and in the central place, devolves the task of
enlightening the ignorant, and we have him discharging it with forbearance and
humility. In proof of his generosity, it is said that 'he receives,' or learns
from, even weak and ignorant women. He appears also as 'a son' taking the
place of his father. |  |
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3. The third
line, divided, (seems to say) that one should not marry a woman whose emblem it
might be, for that, when she sees a man of wealth, she will not keep her person
from him, and in no wise will advantage come from her.
| The third line is
weak, and occupies an odd place belonging properly to an undivided line; nor
is its place in the centre. All these things give the subject of it so bad a
character. |  |
4. The fourth
line, divided, (shows its subject as if) bound in chains of ignorance. There
will be occasion for regret.
| The fourth line
is far from both the second and sixth, and can get no help from its
correlate,—the first line, weak as itself. What good can be done with or by the
subject of it ? |  |
| 5. The fifth
line, divided, shows its subject as a simple lad without experience. There will
be good fortune. | The fifth line is
in the place of honour, and has for its correlate the stiong line in the second
place. Being weak in itself, it is taken as the symbol of a simple lad, willing
to be taught. |  |
6. In the topmost
line, undivided, we see one smiting the ignorant (youth). But no advantage will
come from doing him an injury. Advantage would come from warding off injury
from him.
| The topmost line
is strong, and in the highest place. It is natural, but unwise, in him to use
violence in carrying on his educational measures. A better course is suggested
to him.
If he receive
them respectfully, there will be good fortune in the end. |  |