I-jing -- A new translation
Book 4
by Jeh-Tween Gong

Sensing: Sensing gets through, beneficial if correct. Marriage is auspicious.
The kwa signs:
Sensing is feeling; the flexible above, the firm below, the two energies sense and respond so as to form a couple. Calm and joyful, this man is below the woman; therefore they get through to each other beneficially in the right way, in an auspicious marriage. When heaven and earth sense each other, myriad beings are born; sages sense people's minds, and the world is at peace. Observe what is sensed, and the feelings of heaven, earth, and myriad beings can be seen.
The image: There is a lake atop a mountain -- sensing. Righteous people accept others with openness.
The yao signs:
- F6 -- Sensing in the big toe.
The image: Sensing in the big toe means the desire of going away.
- 6two -- Sensing in the calf bodes ill. To stay put bodes well.
The image: To stay put in spite of foreboding leads to good results, because obedience does no harm.
- 9three -- Sensing in the thighs, following others, to go on brings shame.
The image: Sensing in the thighs is also not staying put; the aim is in following others; the ambition is low.
- 9four -- Correctness brings good fortune, and regret disappears. Coming and going ceaselessly, companions follow your thoughts.
The image: Correctness brings good fortune, and regret disappears; one has not yet sensed danger. Coming and going ceaselessly, one is not yet great.
- 9five -- Sensing in the flesh of the back, there is no regret.
The image: Sensing in the flesh of the back, the ambition is low.
- T6 -- Sensing in the jaws and tongue.
The image: Sensing in the jaws and tongue is speaking a lot.
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Persist: Persistency comes through without fault, beneficial insofar as it is correct. It is beneficial to have a place to go.
The kwa signs:
Persistency is enduring. Firmness is above, flexibility below. Thunder and wind pair up, moving along harmoniously; the firm and the soft correspond constantly. Persistency comes through without fault, beneficial insofar as it is correct, in the sense of enduring on the path. The way of heaven and earth is constant and enduring, never ending. It is beneficial to have a place to go, in the sense that the end has a beginning. As long as there is the sky, sun and moon can shine forever; the four seasons change, yet can go on forever. Sages endure on the way, and the world develops. Observe what they are constant in, and the conditions of heaven, earth, and all beings can be seen.
The image: Thunder and wind are constant; so do righteous people stand without changing place.
The yao signs:
- F6 -- In deep persistency, fidelity brings misfortune; there is no gain.
The image: The misfortune of deep persistency is from seeking depth to start with.
- 9two -- Regret disappears.
The image: Regret disappears, as one can remain balanced.
- 9three -- Not being persistent in virtue may be taken as a disgrace. Even if one is right, one is humiliated.
The image: Not being constant in virtue, there is no accommodation.
- 9four -- No game in the fields.
The image: Persist on the wrong. How can one catch game?
- 6five -- The fidelity of persistency in virtue bodes well for a woman, bodes ill for a man.
The image: What bodes well in fidelity for a woman is consistency from start to finish (as an one man woman). For a man doing his duty, to follow a woman's way bodes ill.
- T6 -- Persistent excitement bodes ill.
The image: Persistent excitement in those on top is utterly unsuccessful.
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Withdrawal: Withdrawal is successful. Small benefit is correct.
The kwa signs:
Withdrawal is successful, in that by withdrawing you get through successfully. Strength is in its proper place and is responsive, acting in accord with the time. Small benefit is correct, in that it gradually grows. The meaning of the time of withdrawal is great indeed.
The image: There are mountains under heaven, which is inaccessible. Righteous people keep a distance from the unrighteous people, being strict without ill will.
The yao signs:
- F6 -- Withdrawing to late (as a tail) is dangerous. Do not go anywhere with this.
The image: With the danger of withdrawing to late, if you do not go anywhere, what trouble will there be?
- 6two -- Fasten this with the hide of a yellow ox; no one can loosen it.
The image: fastening with the hide of a yellow ox means making the will firm.
- 9three -- Entangled in withdrawal, there is affliction and danger, but feeding servants and concubines leads to good results.
The image: The danger of entanglement in withdrawal is that there is affliction and exhaustion. The good results of feeding servants and concubines is not suitable for great works.
- 9four -- Righteous people who withdraw in the right way are fortunate; unrighteous people are not.
The image: Righteous people withdraw well; unrighteous people do not.
- 9five -- Withdraw righteously, correct and auspicious.
The image: Withdraw righteously, correct and auspicious, is so because of right aspiration.
- T9 -- Withdraw unattached is beneficial always.
The image: Withdraw unattached is beneficial always, as there is no suspicion.
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Strong (power): The strong is beneficial if correct.
The kwa signs:
The strong means that the great are powerful. Firm and active, they are therefore strong (powerful). "The strong is beneficial if correct" means that the great should be upright. With correct greatness, the conditions of heaven and earth can be seen.
The image: Thunder is up in the sky, with great power. Righteous people do not do what is improper.
The yao signs:
- F9 -- With power in the feet, an expedition bodes ill, having certainty.
The image: With power in the feet, that certainty comes to an impasse.
- 9two -- Correctness is auspicious.
The image: For the second yang, correctness is auspicious because of balance.
- 9three -- Unrighteous people use power: superior people use nothingness, chaste in danger. When a ram butts a fence, it gets its horns stuck.
The image: Unrighteous people use power; superior people will not.
- 9four -- Being correct leads to good results; regret vanishes. Fences opened up, one does not get exhausted. Power is in the axle of a great vehicle.
The image: Fences opened up, one does not get exhausted -- it is okay to go.
- 6five -- Losing the ram at good time, there is no regret.
The image: Losing the ram at easy time, something must not be done right.
- T6 -- The ram butting the fence cannot retreat, cannot go ahead. There is no benefit. Work hard and there will be good results.
The image: Inability to retreat or go ahead is due to carelessness. Work hard and there will be good results, because the problem will not last forever.
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Paying visit (Advancing): Paying visit, a securely established lord is presented with horses in abundance and grants audience three times a day.
The kwa signs:
Paying visit is advancing. Making the lowly self known, following the right way to making self known with flexibility in order to move upward; therefore a securely established lord is presented with horses in abundance and grants audience three times a day.
The image: Light emerges over the ground, advancing. Righteous people illumine the quality of enlightenment by themselves.
The yao signs:
- F6 -- Advancing, impeded, it bodes well to be correct. If there is no trust, be easygoing, and there will be no blame.
The image: Advancing, impeded, one carries out what is right alone. Being easygoing, without blame, not yet being accepted.
- 6two -- Advancing, grieving, it is good to be correct. One receives this great blessing from one's grandmother.
The image: One receives this great blessing because of balance and rectitude.
- 6three -- The group approves; regret vanishes.
The image: The group approves; ready to progress upward.
- 9four -- Advancing like a squirrel is dangerous even if determined.
The image: Advancing like a squirrel is dangerous even if determined, because the way is not appropriate.
- 6five -- Regret vanishes. Do not worry about loss of gains. To go leads to good results, beneficial all around.
The image: Do not worry about loss of gains. If you go, there will be joy.
- T9 -- Advancing the horns; this requires conquering one's domain. Hard work leads to good results, without blame; but even though correct, one is humiliated.
The image: This requires conquering one's domain, because the way is not yet developed.
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Enlightened obscured: When enlightened is obscured, it is beneficial to be upright in difficulty.
The kwa signs:
Enlightened is concealed (as the historical King Wan). Inwardly civilized, outwardly pliable, one thus ready suffers great difficulties. It is beneficial to be upright in difficulty, in the sense of obscuring the enlightened. Be able to make your aims upright in spite of internal difficulties.
The image: Enlightened is obscured. In dealing with the masses, true leaders act unobtrusively while in fact being illumined.
The yao signs:
- F9 -- When enlightened concealing in flight, letting the wings droop, superior people on a journey, not eating for three days, have a place to go. The master (the enlightened) has something to say.
The image: When superior people are on a journey (for a great propose), they have no time to eat.
- 6two -- Enlightened concealed, injured in the left leg, going to the rescue, it is lucky if the horse is strong.
The image: The luck of the second yin is in model obedience.
- 9three -- Enlightened concealed, hunting in the south, catching the big chief, hasty correction (about the people's habit) will not do.
The image: The aim of hunting in the south is a big catch.
- 6four -- Entering the left belly, finding (the intention of) the heart of enlightened in concealment (king Wan) as (easy as) going out of the house.
The image: Entering the left belly is finding the heart's intent.
- 6five -- The concealment of enlightened on the part of a just scion of an evil ruling house is beneficial and upright.
- T6 -- In the darkness of ignorance, first ascending to heaven, later going underground.
The image: First ascending to heaven is lighting up the nations; later going underground is losing guidance.
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Family: Family, it is beneficial for the women to be chaste.
In family, the woman's proper position is at home, the man's proper place is outside. For men and women to be in their proper positions is universally important. The people in the home have a strict order, which is the father and mother. When a parent behaves like a parent, a child like a child, an elder like an elder, a youth like a youth, a husband like a husband, and a wife like a wife, then the conduct of the household is correct. Make the home correct, and the country will be stable.
The image: Wind emerges from fire, as members of a family. Righteous people are factual in speech, consistent in action.
The yao signs:
- F9 -- Guarding the home, regret vanishes.
The image: Guarding the home, the aim does not change.
- 6two -- Not concentrating on anything but household duties, it bodes well to be chaste.
The image: What bodes well in the second yin is docile obedience.
- 9three -- When people in the home are strict, conscientious diligence leads to good results. When the women and children are frivolous, it will end in humiliation.
The image: It is not a problem for the people in the home to be strict. When the women and children are frivolous, the order of the household is lost.
- 6four -- A rich home is very fortunate.
The image: A rich home is very fortunate, docility is at home.
- 9five -- The king has a great home. Do not worry; it is auspicious.
The image: The king has a great home, with communication and mutual love.
- T9 -- There is truthfulness, which is impressive. The end is auspicious.
The image: What is auspicious about his impressiveness is that it reflects from himself.
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Opposition: Opposition; a small matter will turn out all right.
The kwa signs:
Opposition -- when fire moves, it goes upward; when water moves, it goes downward; two women live together, but their aims are not the same. (However, there are three virtues for being opposite) joyfully cleaving to mutual understanding, flexibility goes forward and moves upward, attains balance and responds to firmness. Therefore a small matter will turn out all right. Heaven and earth are opposite, but their goal is the same; man and woman are opposite, but their aim is in common; myriad beings are disparate, but their affairs are of a kind. The timely use of opposition is great indeed.
The image: Above is fire, below is a lake -- opposite. Righteous people are all different yet value the same virtues.
The yao signs:
- F9 -- Regret vanishes. Having lost the horse, do not chase it -- it will come back by itself. Seeing evil people, there is no blame.
The image: Seeing evil people, one avoids, then no blame.
- 9two -- Meeting the ruler in an alley, there is no blame.
The image: Meeting the ruler in an alley does not deviate from the right way.
- 6three -- Having the vehicle dragged back, the ox halted, the person is punished by heaven. There is difficulty at the beginning, but okay at end.
The image: Having the vehicle dragged back means being at the wrong place. Having a good end without a good beginning means encountering firmness.
- 9four -- The solitude of opposition. Meeting good people, associate sincerely, work hard, and there will be no blame.
The image: Associate sincerely, and there will be no blame, for the aim will be carried out.
- 6five -- Regret vanishes. With the ally in close cooperation, what is wrong with proceeding?
The image: With the ally in close cooperation, to proceed will result in celebration.
- T9 -- Isolated in opposition, seeing a pig covered with mire, a wagon load of devils, first drawing a bow, later putting the bow down, not enemies but partners, going on, encountering rain, then there is good fortune.
The image: The good fortune of encountering rain is that doubts disappear.
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Trouble: When in trouble, it is beneficial to go southwest; it is not beneficial to go northeast. It is beneficial to see a great person. Correctness leads to good results.
The kwa signs:
Trouble is difficulty; danger lies ahead. Being able to stop on seeing danger is knowledge. In trouble, it is beneficial to go southwest, in the sense of achieving balance; it is not beneficial to go northeast, for that path comes to and end. It is beneficial to see a great person, in that there is merit in going. Correctness in the right place leads to good results, whereby it is possible to rectify the country. Timely action in trouble is great indeed.
The image: Water on a mountain -- trouble. Righteous people examine themselves to cultivate virtue.
The yao signs:
- F6 -- Going means trouble; coming is praised.
The image: Going means trouble; coming is praised. It is best to wait.
- 6two -- King and minister recognize trouble as trouble, not for personal reasons.
The image: King and minister recognize trouble as trouble, so in the end there is no regret.
- 9three -- Going means trouble; come back.
The image: Going means trouble; come back, and those inside will rejoice at this.
- 6four -- Going means trouble; coming back brings company.
The image: Going means trouble, coming back brings company; one's position is solidified.
- 9five -- In great trouble, companions come.
The image: In great trouble, companions come, because of balance and moderation.
- T6 -- Going means trouble; coming means great good fortune. It is beneficial to see a great person.
The image: Going means trouble; coming means great good fortune. The aim is within. It is beneficial to see a great person, by following what is valuable.
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Resolve (Solution): For solution, the southwest is beneficial. Going nowhere, coming back is fortunate. Going somewhere, promptness is fortunate.
The kwa signs:
For a solution, one acts because of danger, and through action escapes from danger; hence the solution. For solution, the southwest is beneficial, as to go there wins the masses. Coming back is fortunate, in that one attains balance. Going somewhere, promptness is fortunate, in that going is successful. Heaven and earth work together, and there is thunder and rain. When it thunders and rains, the sprouts of the fruitful plants and trees shed their sheaths. The time of resolution is great indeed.
The image: Thunder and rain -- resolution. Thus do leaders forgive errors and pardon crimes.
The yao signs:
- F6 -- No blame.
The image: At the border of firm and soft, it is right that there should be no blame.
- 9two -- Catching three foxes on a hunt, finding a yellow arrow, correctness brings good fortune.
The image: The good fortune of correctness of the second yang is attaining the way of balance.
- 6three -- Carrying and riding brings on enemies (being without a free hand). It is right to be humiliated.
The image: Carrying and riding are both disgraceful. One brings on attack by oneself -- who else is to blame?
- 9four -- Remove your big toe (symbol of excessive proudness). When a companion comes, then you trust.
The image: Removing your big toe, you are not yet in the right position.
- 6five -- The righteous person here has a solution, which is fortunate. There is sincerity toward a petty person.
The image: The righteous person has a solution. The unrighteous person withdraws.
- T6 -- The lord shoots a hawk on a high wall and gets it, to the benefit of all.
The image: The lord shoots the hawk (instead of enemy) to resolve the conflict.
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Reduction: reduction with sincerity is very auspicious and impeccable. It should be correct. It is beneficial to have somewhere to go. What is the use of the two bowls? They can be used for presentation.
The kwa signs:
Reduction reduces the lowly to increase the mighty (as taxing); the power goes upward. "Reduction with sincerity is very auspicious and impeccable. It should be correct. It is beneficial to have somewhere to go. What is the use of the two bowls? They can be used for presentation." There are times to use two bowls; there are times to reduce hardness and increase softness; reduction and increase, filling and emptying, go along with the circumstances.
The image: lake below a mountain -- reducing. Thus do righteous people eliminate anger and greed.
The yao signs:
- F9 -- Ending one's affairs and going quickly, there is no fault. Assess the reduction of this.
The image: Ending one's affairs and going quickly (taking less) is because it meets the aims.
- 9two -- It is beneficial to be correct. An expedition would lead to misfortune. Increase it without reduction.
The image: The benefit of correctness in the second yang is the balance that characterizes its aim.
- 6three -- Three travel together, no longer be alone (individuality is reduced); viewing from the individual, he gets companions.
The image: Task for one, three go after, there are doubts.
- 6four -- Reducing the ailment causes there to be joy soon. No blame.
The image: Reducing the ailment is a matter for joy.
- 6five -- One is given a profit of ten pairs of tortoise shells, and none can oppose. This is very auspicious.
The image: What is auspicious about the fifth yin is help from heaven.
- T9 -- Increase without reduction, and there will be no blame. Correctness leads to good results. There is somewhere to go (or to do). Getting an administrator (unites people as a big family), no more individual family.
The image: Increase without reduction is great attainment of the objective.
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Benefit (Increase): For benefit, it is beneficial to go somewhere (or do something). It is beneficial to cross great rivers.
The kwa signs:
Benefit is reducing the mighty to enhance the lowly (as welfare); the people rejoice boundlessly. Descending from above to below, the passion shines. "It is beneficial to go somewhere" -- balance and rectitude are felicitous. "It is beneficial to cross great river" -- the path of harmony is then carried out. Increase moves and tames, progressing daily, without bound. Heaven disburses, earth produces; that benefit is not localized. The way of benefit always goes along with the timing.
The image: Wind and thunder, benefit. Thus do righteous people learn to be good when they see it, and correct whatever faults they have.
The yao signs:
- F9 -- It is beneficial to undertake great work. No blame.
It turns out well, because it is not for those in low positions to be deeply concerned with affairs.
- 6two -- One is given ten sets of tortoise shells; none can oppose. It bodes well to be always correct. It bodes well for the king to make offerings to God.
The image: What one is given comes from outside.
- 6three -- Improve the unfortunate events is blameless. Sincere and balanced in action, one presents impartial use of authority.
The image: There has always been such a thing as enhancement through unfortunate events.
- 6four -- Balanced action openly expressed is followed impartially. It is beneficial to use this as a basis to attract immigrants.
The image: Open expression and impartial to follower benefits the aims.
- 9five -- There is sincerity to benefit the mind. Do not ask -- it is very auspicious. There is sincerity granting one rewards.
The image: There is sincerity to benefit the mind -- do not question it. Granting one rewards is because of great achievement of what is intended.
- T9 -- Do not increase any more, more will attract attacks. Do not persist in this attitude, for that would lead to misfortune.
The image: "None benefit one here" expresses partiality; "they may attack one" refers to what comes from without.
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