Hence too a ravine is used to symbolize danger; it is a situation in which a man is in the same pass as the water in a ravine, and, like the water, he can escape if he behaves correctly.

As has been pointed out above in the comment on the Judgment, keeping the back at rest means forgetting the ego. Sacrifice on the part of those above for the increase of those below fills the people with a sense of joy and gratitude that is extremely valuable for the flowering of the commonwealth. Where increase is thus in harmony with the highest laws of the universe, it cannot be prevented by any constellation of accidents. The I Ching does not offer itself with proofs and results; it does not vaunt itself, nor is it easy to approach. Book appears unread, with a few faint marks to leading edge of text block; unclipped DJ chipped at spine ends and top corner.January 9 th 2022), a "restyling" has been completed for the entire site I Ching Online, including all 64 Richard Wilhelm hexagram pages AND the 384 changing line pages.

This refers to a man who is honored by the ruler and whose principles now prevail and shape the world. There one weak line must tame five strong lines, but here four strong lines are restrained by two weak lines; in addition to a minister, there is a prince, and the restraining power therefore is far stronger. Even the policy makers of so modern a stateas Japan, distinguished for their astuteness, do not scorn torefer to it for counsel in difficult situations. Thus likewise, if one is sincere when confronted with difficulties, the heart can penetrate the meaning of the situation. One acquires fame in the sight of gods and men, is received into the circle of those who foster the spiritual life of the nation, and thereby attains a significance that endures beyond time.Thus the work finds favor in the eyes of the Deity, who dispenses great good fortune, and becomes pleasing to men, wherefore all goes well. In the words and deeds of the past there lies hidden a treasure that men may use to strengthen and elevate their own characters. In the latter the wind blows over the earth, here it blows under heaven; in both cases it goes everywhere. This clarity and severity have the effect of instilling respect; it is not that the penalties are ends in themselves.

When adversity befalls a man, it is important above all things for him to be strong and to overcome the trouble inwardly.When the strong are outside and the weak inside, all is well and there is nothing out of balance, nothing extraordinary in the situation. In bestowing care and nourishment, it is important that the right people should be taken care of and that we should attend to our own nourishment in the right way. We feel inspired to press forward but resistance is still strong; therefore we ought to gauge our own strength and venture only so far as we can go with certainty of success. If we wish to know whether anyone is superior or not, we need only observe what part of his being he regards as especially important.