Hexagram 4, Méng (Youthful Folly): Line 2

蒙卦九二 · 山水蒙 · 中文版

九二:包蒙吉;纳妇吉;子克家。

The line (Legge)

The second NINE, 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 may be described also as) a son able to (sustain the burden of) his family.

Small Image commentary

'A son able to (sustain the burden of) his family:' - as appears from the reciprocation between this strong line and the weak (fifth line).

象曰:子克家,刚柔接也。

In plain words

Bearing with the ignorant brings good fortune; taking a wife brings good fortune; the son can run the household. The second line is the only yang line in the lower trigram and sits at its centre: it is the teacher. It can bear with many who do not yet understand, and it corresponds to the fifth line, like an able son who holds the family together. The Small Image says the son runs the household because firm and yielding meet.

Applying it to your situation

If you are in a position where you lead people and carry responsibility, this line suggests being patient first and then taking things on. Toward whom who "doesn't understand yet" could you be a little more patient?

Position

A solid (yang) line in the second place, which is a yin (even) place, so it is not in its proper place. It holds the centre of the lower trigram. Its partner is line 5; one is yin and the other yang, so they respond to each other.

If this line moves

With this line moving alone, Méng changes into Hexagram 23 Bō (Splitting Apart). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·蒙之剥.

The hexagram

Hexagram 4 Méng (Youthful Folly). The Judgment: 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.

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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. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.

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