
Tranquillity: Tranquillity, the small goes and the great comes, getting through auspiciously.
The kwa signs:
In tranquillity the small goes and the great comes, getting through auspiciously. This is the development of myriad beings due to the interaction of heaven and earth. Above and below communicate, so their wills are the same. Yang inside and yin outside, strong inside and docile outside, a righteous leader is in power and the unrighteous people are out of office, the power of upright leaders are strong, while the unrighteous persons vanish.
The Image: When heaven and earth commune, there is tranquillity. Thus does the ruler administer the way of heaven and earth and assist the balance of heaven and earth, so as to influence the people.
The yao signs:
- F9 -- Pulling out a reed by the roots, other reeds come with it. It is auspicious to go forth (for an adventure).
The Image: Pulling out reeds, going forth to success, means looking outward.
- 9two -- Accepting the uncultivated, employing those who can cross rivers, not overlooking the remote, free from partisanship, one can seriously perform balanced action.
The Image: Accepting the uncultivated and seriously performing balanced action are for expanding.
- 9three -- There is no level place without hills, no returning without going. Be upright in difficulty, and you will be blameless. Do not grieve over your sincerity; there will be prosperity in sustenance.
The Image: There is no going without returning -- this refers to the border of heaven and earth.
- 6four -- Unsettled, not prosperous, one works with the neighbor. Sincerity is exercised, without caution.
The Image: Being unsettled and not prospering are both due to loss of the real. Exercise of sincerity without caution is the heart's true desire.
- 6five -- The emperor marries off his younger sister, whereby there is good fortune, very auspicious.
The Image: That by which there is very auspicious good fortune is the balanced carrying out of deliberate, purposeful undertakings.
- T6 -- The castle walls crumble into the moats. Do not use the army. Announcing order under this condition is useless, in spite of correctness.
The Image: The castle walls crumbling into the moats means that order is in disarray.
[back to index]

Obstruction: Obstruction's denial of humanity does not make the leader's correctness beneficial. The great goes and the small (unrighteous) comes.
The kwa signs:
- Obstruction's denial of humanity does not make the leader's correctness beneficial. The great goes and the small comes. This means that heaven and earth do not commune, so myriad beings do not develop.
- When above and below do not communicate, no order can exist. When inwardly weak while outwardly strong, the unrighteous person is in power while the righteous leader is out of office, then the way of the unrighteous will be fostered, and the way of true leadership will wane.
- The Image: Heaven and earth do not commune -- obstruction. Upright person stay low to avoid trouble, and should not prosper on wages.
The yao signs:
F6 -- Pulling out a reed by the roots, taking other reeds with it, correctness is auspicious and successful.
The Image: Pulling out a reed, correctness is auspicious -- the will is in the leader.
- 6two -- Embracing flattering, unrighteous people are lucky; bad for righteous people but they will get through.
The Image: Great people get through obstruction in the sense that they are not deranged by the crowd.
- 6three -- Embracing disgrace.
The Image: Embracing disgrace means that the position is not appropriate.
- 9four -- If there is order, there is no blame. The companions cleave to blessings.
The Image: If there is order there is no blame because the will is carried out.
- 9five -- Putting a stop to obstruction, great people are fortunate. But they still keep destruction in mind.
The Image: The fortune of great people means the office has an appropriate ruler.
- T9 -- Overturning obstruction. First there is obstruction, afterward joy.
The Image: When obstruction ends, it collapses. What can last?
[back to index]

Sameness with People: Sameness with people in the wilderness is successful. It is beneficial to cross a great river. It is beneficial for a leader to be correct.
The kwa signs:
In sameness with people, flexibility finds its place and gains balance, so to correspond with the heaven. When it says that sameness with people in the wilderness is successful, and that it is beneficial to cross a great river, this is creative action. Health through civilization and enlightenment, responding with balance correctly is the correctness of a leader. A leader is one who can communicate with the wills of the world.
The Image: Fire reaching sky -- (symbol of) sameness with people. Leaders distinguish beings in terms of classes and families.
The yao signs:
- F9 -- sameness with people at the gate is blameless.
The Image: And if you are the same as people you meet while traveling, who can blame you?
- 6two -- Sameness with people in the clan is regrettable.
The Image: Sameness with people in the clan is the road to regret. (There are orders in the clan).
- 9three -- He hides fighters in the bush; he climbs the high hill. Three years without flourishing.
The Image: One hides fighters in the bush because the enemy is strong. Three years without flourishing is calm activity.
- 9four -- He mounts the wall but does not succeed in the attack. This is lucky.
The Image: It was right that he did not succeed when he mounted the wall. The luck is that he will return to order when he reaches the impasse.
- 9five -- In sameness with people, first there is weeping, later laughter. The great general conquers and meets others.
The Image: Before treating them with sameness, treating them with sincerity. In a meeting with the great general, his words overcome.
- T9 -- Sameness with people in the countryside involves no regret.
The Image: Sameness with people in the countryside is when the aspiration has not yet been attained.
[back to index]

Great Possession: Great possession is great success.
The kwa signs:
In great possession, flexibility is in an important position. Greatness is balanced, and above and below respond to it. This is called great possession. Its qualities are firm strength and civilized intelligence. It responds to nature and acts according to the time; therefore it is greatly successful.
The Image: Fire in the sky -- great possession. Leaders obey nature and accept its order by stopping the bad and promoting the good.
The yao signs:
- F9 -- As long as there is none of the harm that comes from association, this is not blameworthy. If one struggles, there will be no blame.
The Image: The positivity in the beginning of great possession is the absence of the harm that comes from association.
- 9two -- Using a large car for transport, there is a place to go. No fault.
The Image: Using a large car for transport, if the load is balanced you will not fail.
- 9three -- Equal justice for all, including ruler. The unrighteous people cannot overcome this.
The Image: The action of the equal justice gets through to the ruler. The unrighteous people would be harmed.
- 9four -- Negating self-inflation, there is no blame.
The Image: Negating self-inflation, there is no blame, because the understanding is clear.
- 6five -- This trust is mutual. It is fortunate to have respect.
The Image: This trust is mutual; aspirations are aroused through faith. The good fortune of having respect is able to accomplish things without a great effort.
- T9 -- Good fortune that is a blessing from heaven is beneficial to all.
The Image: The noble good fortune of great possession is a blessing from heaven.
[back to index]

Humility: Humility gets through. An upright person reaches a final goal.
The kwa signs:
Humility gets through. The way of heaven, descending to provide and to shine. The way of earth, lowly, goes upward. The way of heaven takes from the full and enhances the humble. The way of earth changes the full and spreads humility. Spirits take from the full and bless the humble. The way of humans is to dislike the full and like the humble. Humility is noble and shines, low yet unsurpassable. This is the final goal of leaders.
The Image: Mountain in the earth -- humility. Leaders assess people and give impartially, by taking from the abundant and adding to the scarce.
The yao signs:
- F6 -- Extreme humility. It is fortunate if leaders use this to cross great rivers.
The Image: In extreme humility, leaders manage themselves with lowliness.
- 6two -- Expressing humility is good if correct.
The Image: Expressing humility is good if the heart is sincere.
- 9three -- Leaders who work and achieve yet are humble have an auspicious conclusion.
The Image: The people submit to leaders who work and achieve yet are humble.
- 6four -- Beneficial to all, the exercise of humility.
The Image: Beneficial to all, the exercise of humility -- this is the way it is supposed to be.
- 6five -- Not enriching himself, he can them employ the neighbors. With this, it is okay to conquer others, no problem.
The Image: It is beneficial to conquer for overcoming the unruly.
- T6 -- Expressing humility -- use it before conquering others with military operations.
The Image: Expressing humility, the aspiration has not been attained; one can use military operations to achieve the goal.
[back to index]

Preparation: Preparation. It is beneficial to set up foundations and mobilize the army.
The kwa signs:
In Preparation, strength responds and its will is carried out. Acting in sequence is Preparation; Preparation acts in sequence, so even heaven and earth conform to it, to say nothing of setting up foundations and mobilizing the army. Heaven and earth act in sequence, so the sun and moon are not out of the line, the four seasons are not out of order. Sages obey the logical sequences, so punishments are clear and the people accept. The duty of the time of Preparation is great.
The Image: When thunder emerges, the earth stirs -- Preparation. Thus did the kings of yore make music to honor virtue, offering it in abundance to God and to share it with their ancestors.
The yao signs:
- F6 -- Trumpeting for Preparation bodes ill.
The Image: Trumpeting for Preparation bodes ill because it is a sign of the will reaching an impasse.
- 6two -- Firm as a rock, not procrastinating, it bodes well.
The Image: Not procrastinating, correctness bodes well, because it is balanced in the right way.
- 6three -- Looking up in Preparation, repent. If too late, there is regret.
The Image: Looking up in Preparation, there is regret, because the position is not appropriate.
- 9four -- When many follow the Preparation, there is great gain. Do not doubt. Companions gather.
The Image: When many follow the Preparation, there is great gain -- the aspiration is carried out greatly.
- 6five -- Chaste in illness, one never dies.
The Image: Being chaste in illness means riding on firmness. Never dying means not losing balance.
- T6 -- In completion of Preparation, one must move forward to have no blame.
The Image: Preparation reaches completion (top out). How long can it stay there?
[back to index]

Following: Following is very successful, beneficial if correct. No fault.
The kwa signs:
Following, firmness acts flexibility, its actions please people. Following is very successful if it is correct; then there is no fault, and the world follows the time and cycles. The meaning of following the time is great indeed.
The Image: Thunder over the lake -- following. Leaders go in and rest at sundown.
The yao signs:
- F9 -- Standards change; it is good to be correct. Interaction with others (foreigners) could be successful.
The Image: Standards change, and it is good to follow what is right. Interaction with others is successful in the sense of not losing.
- 6two -- Friendly with the unrighteous, lose upright friends.
The Image: Involved with the unrighteous, one is not with both at once.
- 6three -- Friendly with the righteous, one loses the unrighteous, following with an aim, one gains. It is good to remain correct.
The Image: Involved with the righteous, one's aspiration leaves the low behind.
- 9four -- Following profits, but it bodes ill even if right. Having faith in the way, thereby understanding, what fault is there?
The Image: When following gains, the meaning is inauspicious. Having faith in the way, the understanding is successful.
- 9five -- Truthfulness in good is auspicious.
The Image: Truthfulness in good is auspicious because the state is correctly balanced.
- T6 -- In a binding involvement, the king sacrifices on the western mountain.
The Image: This is the upper impasse of involvement.
[back to index]

Readiness: From readiness comes great development. It is beneficial to cross a great river. Creating systems, three days before, three days after.
The kwa signs:
In readiness, strength is above, weakness below. No more opponent; this is readiness. In readiness there is great development, whereby the world is ordered. It is beneficial to cross a great river; going forth, there is something to do. Creating systems, three days before, three days after -- the end thus has a beginning, the activity of heaven.
The image: wind in the mountains -- readiness. Leaders thus arouse the people to nurture virtue.
The yao signs:
- F6 -- Dealing with the goal (readiness) of the father, if there is a child, the late father has no blame. It is dangerous but turns out well.
The Image: dealing with the goal of the father means consciously taking up after the late father.
- 9two -- Dealing with the goal of the mother, it will not do to be righteous.
The Image: Dealing with the goal of the mother is attaining balance.
- 9three -- Dealing with the goal of the father, there is a little regret, but no great blame.
The Image: Dealing with the goal of the father, in the end there is no blame.
- 6four -- Indulging the readiness (achievement) of the father, if you go on you will experience shame.
The Image: Indulging the achievement of the father, if you go on you will not attain anything.
- 6five -- Dealing with the goal of the father, the action is praised.
The Image: Dealing with the father, the action is praised, because one takes up after him with virtue.
- T9 -- Not serving kings or lords, one makes one's concerns loftier.
The Image: Not serving kings or lords, one's will can serve as a model.
[back to index]

Ruling: Ruling is very successful, beneficial if correct. If you wait until the eighth month, there will be misfortune.
The kwa signs:
In ruling, strength gradually grows. Joyful and harmonious, strength is balanced and responsive. Great success in a correct manner is the way of nature. In the eighth month there will be misfortune because waning does not take long.
The Image: There is earth above a body of water. Leaders educate the people always and protect the people without bound.
The yao signs:
- F9 -- Sensitive ruling is good when correct.
The Image: sensitive ruling is good when correct, because the intention and the action are correct.
- 9two -- Sensitive ruling is good, beneficial all around.
The Image: "Sensitive ruling is good, beneficial all around" -- This is addressed to those who are not yet in harmony with the universal order.
- 6three -- Ruling with sweet promises is of no benefit, but if he uses it carefully, there will be no blame.
The Image: Sweet ruler is out of place. Once he corrects it, blame will not last long.
- 6four -- Consummate overseeing is impeccable.
The Image: Consummate ruling that is impeccable is in the right place.
- 6five -- Ruling with knowledge, appropriate for a great leader, bodes well.
- T6 -- Attentive ruling is good and blameless.
The Image: The good of attentive ruling is the will being within.
[back to index]

Observing: Observing, having washed the hands but not presented the offering, there is sincerity that is reverent.
The kwa signs:
The great observed on high, harmonious, shows the world balance and rectitude. Observing, having washed the hands but not presented the offering, there is sincerity that is reverent. Those below observe it and are transformed. Observing the spiritual way of heaven, the four seasons are orderly. Sages use the spiritual way to establish education, and all the world accepts.
The Image: Wind travels over the earth -- observing. Kings of yore examined the regions and observed the people to set up education.
The yao signs:
- F6 -- Naive observation is blameless in undeveloped people but shameful in developed people.
The Image: The naive observation represented by the first yin is the way of underdeveloped people.
- 6two -- Peeking observation is beneficial for a woman's chastity.
The Image: Peeking the chastity of a woman can be shameful.
- 6three -- Observing personal growth, advancing and withdrawing.
The Image: Observing personal growth, advancing and withdrawing, one has not lost the way.
- 6four -- Observing the glory of the country, it is beneficial to be a guest of the king.
The Image: Observing the glory of the country is esteeming guest hood.
- 9five -- Observing personal growth, developed people are impeccable.
The Image: Observing personal growth means observing the people.
- T9 -- Observing the growth, developed people are impeccable.
The Image: Observing the growth, the ambition is not yet reached.
[back to index]

[goto Book 3]