Hexagram 17: Suí (Following)
泽雷随 · 第 17 卦 · Lake over Thunder · 中文版
The Judgment
Sui indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. There will (then) be no error.
随：元亨利贞，无咎。
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuan)
In Sui we see the strong (trigram) come and place itself under the weak; we see (in the two) the attributes of movement and pleasure: - this gives (the idea of) Sui. 'There will be great progress and success; and through firm correctness no error:' - all under heaven will be found following at such a time. Great indeed are the time and significance indicated in Sui.
彖曰：随，刚来而下柔，动而说，随。大亨贞，无咎，而天下随时。随时之义大矣哉！
The Great Image
(The trigram for the waters of) a marsh and (that for) thunder (hidden) in the midst of it form Sui. The superior man in accordance with this, when it is getting towards dark, enters (his house) and rests.
象曰：泽中有雷，随；君子以向晦入宴息。
The six lines
Line 1 (first): The first NINE, undivided, shows us one changing the object of his pursuit; but if he be firm and correct, there will he good fortune. Going beyond (his own) gate to find associates, he will achieve merit.
'He is changing the object of his pursuit:' - but if he follow what is correct, there will be good fortune. 'He goes beyond (his own) gate to find associates:' - he will not fail (in the method he pursues).
初九：官有渝，贞吉。出门交有功。 象曰：官有渝，从正吉也。出门交有功，不失也。 · 单爻页
Line 2 (second): The second SIX, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the little boy, and lets go the man of age and experience.
'He cleaves to the little boy:' - he cannot be with the two at the same time.
六二：系小子，失丈夫。 象曰：系小子，弗兼与也。 · 单爻页
Line 3 (third): The third SIX, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the man of age and experience, and lets go. the little boy. Such following will get what it seeks; but it will be advantageous to adhere to what is firm and correct.
'He cleaves to the man of age and experience:' - by the decision of his will, he abandons (the youth) below.
六三：系丈夫，失小子。随有求得，利居贞。 象曰：系丈夫，志舍下也。 · 单爻页
Line 4 (fourth): The fourth NINE, undivided, shows us one followed and obtaining (adherents). Though he be firm and correct, there will be evil. If he be sincere (however) in his course, and make that evident, into what error will he fall?
'He is followed and obtains adherents:' - according to the idea (of the hexagram), this is evil. 'He is sincere in his course:' - showing his intelligence, and leading to achievement.
九四：随有获，贞凶。有孚在道，以明，何咎。 象曰：随有获，其义凶也。有孚在道，明功也。 · 单爻页
Line 5 (fifth): The fifth NINE, undivided, shows us (the ruler) sincere in (fostering all) that is excellent. There will be good fortune.
'He is sincere in fostering what is excellent:' - his position is correct and in the centre.
九五：孚于嘉，吉。 象曰：孚于嘉，吉，位正中也。 · 单爻页
Line 6 (sixth (top)): The topmost SIX, divided, shows us (that sincerity) firmly held and clung to, yea, and bound fast. (We see) the king with it presenting his offerings on the western mountain.
'The sincerity is firmly held and clung to, as shown in the topmost line:' - (the idea of the hexagram) has reached its extreme development.
上六：拘系之，乃从维之。王用亨于西山。 象曰：拘系之，上穷也。 · 单爻页
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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text, checked against ctext.org. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction.