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易經 I Ching: The Book of Changes

 Hexagram 53: Jiàn [Development (Gradual Progress)]


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Image
On the mountain, a tree.
Xùn (The Gentle, Wind, Wood) above, Gèn (Keeping Still, Mountain) below.
Judgment
Kien suggests to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune (attending it). There will be advantage in being firm and correct.
The advance indicated by Jiàn is (like) the marrying of a young lady which is attended by good fortune. (The lines) as they advance get into their correct places:--this indicates the achievements of a successful progress. The advance is made according to correctness:--(the subject of The Judgment) might rectify his country. Among the places (of The Judgment) we see the strong undivided line in the centre. "In (the attributes of) restfulness and flexible penetration we have (the assurance of) an (onward) movement that is inexhaustible.
(The trigram representing) a mountain and above it that for a tree form Jiàn. The superior man, in accordance with this, attains to and maintains his extraordinary virtue, and makes the manners of the people good.
Line 1
鸿 The first SIX, divided, shows the wild geese gradually approaching the shore. A young officer (in similar circumstances) will be in a position of danger, and be spoken against; but there will be no error.
"The danger of a small officer (as represented in the first line)"" is owing to no fault of his in the matter of what is right.
Line 2
鸿 The second SIX, divided, shows the geese gradually approaching the large rocks, where they eat and drink joyfully and at ease. There will be good fortune.
"They eat and drink joyfully and at ease:"--but not without having earned their food.
Line 3
鸿 The third NINE, undivided, shows them gradually advanced to the dry plains. (It suggests also the idea of) a husband who goes on an expedition from which he does not return, and of a wife who is pregnant, but will not nourish her child. There will be evil. (The case symbolised) might be advantageous in resisting plunderers.
"A husband goes and does not return:"--he separates himself from his comrades. "A wife is pregnant, but will not nourish her child:"--she has failed in her (proper) course. "It might be advantageous in resisting plunderers:"--by acting as here indicated men would preserve one another.
Line 4
鸿 The fourth SIX, divided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the trees. They may light on the flat branches. There will be no error.
"They may light on the flat branches:"--there is docility (in the line) going on to flexible penetration.
Line 5
鸿 The fifth NINE, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the high mound. (It suggests the idea of) a wife who for three years does not become pregnant; but in the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune.
"In the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune:"--(the subject of the line) will get what he desires.
Line 6
鸿 The sixth NINE, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the large heights (beyond). Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune.
"Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune:"--(the object and character of the subject of the line) cannot be disturbed.
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