Skip navigation
Show Comments :
Hexagram 4 Youthful Folly
Expression Meng (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.
Judgement Youthful Folly has success. It is not I who seek the young fool; The young fool seeks me. At the first oracle I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity. If he importunes, I give him no information. Perseverance furthers.
Image A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain: The image of Youth. Thus the superior man fosters his character. By thoroughness in all that he does.
69
  Expression: In punishing folly. It does not further one. To commit transgressions. The only thing that furthers s to prevent transgressions.
Image: 'Advantage will come from warding off injury:'--(the subject of this line) above and (the ignorant) below, all do and are done to in accordance with their nature.
65
      Expression: Childlike folly brings good fortune.
Image: 'The good fortune belonging to the simple lad without experience' comes from his docility going on to humility.
64
      Expression: Entangled folly brings humiliation.
Image: 'The regret arising from ignorance bound in chains' is due to the special distance of (the subject of this line) from the solidity (shown in lines 2 and 6).
63
      Expression: Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze, Loses possession of herself. Nothing furthers.
Image: 'A woman (such as is here represented) should not be taken in marriage:'--her conduct is not agreeable to what is right.
92
  Expression: To bear with fools in kindliness brings good fortune. To know how to take women. Brings supreme good fortune. The son is capable of taking charge of the household.
Image: 'A son able to (sustain the burden of) his family:'--as appears from the reciprocation between this strong line and the weak (fifth line).
16
      Expression: To make a fool develop. It furthers one to apply discipline. The fetters should be removed. To go on in this way brings humiliation.
Image: 'It will be advantageous to use punishment:'--the object being to bring under the influence of correcting law.