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易經 I Ching: The Book of Changes

 Hexagram 37: Jiā Rén [The Family (The Clan)]


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Image
Wind comes forth from fire.
Xùn (The Gentle, Wind, Wood) above, Lí (The Clinging, Fire) below.
Judgment
For (the realisation of what is taught in) Jiā Rén, (or for the regulation of the family), what is most advantageous is that the wife be firm and correct.
In Jiā Rén the wife has her correct place in the inner (trigram), and the man his correct place in the outer. That man and woman occupy their correct places is the great righteousness shown (in the relation and positions of) heaven and earth. In Jiā Rén we have the idea of an authoritative ruler;--that, namely, represented by the parental authority. Let the father be indeed father, and the son son; let the elder brother be indeed elder brother, and the younger brother younger brother, let the husband be indeed husband, and the wife wife:--then will the family be in its normal state. Bring the family to that state, and all under heaven will be established.
(The trigram representing) fire, and that for wind coming forth from it, form Jiā Rén. The superior man, in accordance with this, orders his words according to (the truth of) things, and his conduct so that it is uniformly consistent.
Line 1
The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject establishing restrictive regulations in his household Occasion for repentance will disappear.
"He establishes restrictive regulations in his household:--(he does so), before any change has taken place in their wills.
Line 2
The second SIX, divided, shows its subject taking nothing on herself, but in her central place attending to the preparation of the food. Through her firm correctness there will be good fortune.
"The good fortune attached to the second SIX, (divided)," is due to the docility (of its subject), operating with humility.
Line 3
The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject (treating) the members of the household with stern severity. There will be occasion for repentance, there will be peril, (but) there will (also) be good fortune. If the wife and children were to be smirking and chattering, in the end there would be occasion for regret.
When "the members of the household are treated with stern severity," there has been no (great) failure (in the regulation of the family). When "wife and children are smirking and chattering," the (proper) economy of the family has been lost.
Line 4
The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject enriching the family. There will be great good fortune.
"The family is enriched, and there is great good fortune:"--this is due to the docility (belonging to the subject of the line), and its being in its correct place.
Line 5
The fifth NINE, undivided, shows the influence of the king extending to his family. There need be no anxiety; there will be good fortune.
"The influence of the king extends to his family:"--the intercourse between them is that of mutual love.
Line 6
The topmost NINE, undivided, shows its subject possessed of sincerity and arrayed in majesty. In the end there will be good fortune.
"The good fortune connected with the display of majesty" describes (the result of) the recovery of the true character.
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