The 64 Hexagrams / 17
Hexagram 17 · ䷐
Following
隨 · Suí
Upper Lake 兌Lower Thunder 震
The Judgment · 卦辭
元亨。利貞。无咎。
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.
The Image · 大象
澤中有雷,隨;君子以嚮晦入宴息。
(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.
Plain-English Meaning
Following. Adapt to the moment and follow what is genuinely worthy, without losing your principles.
The Judgment
Following brings success when it is grounded in integrity.
The Image
Like thunder resting in the lake, rest when evening comes and adapt to the season.
Editorial summary written for this site; not a translation.
The Lines · 爻辭
- 初九 · Line 1官有渝,貞吉。出門交有功。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.象曰:官有渝,從正吉也。出門交有功,不失也。
- 六二 · Line 2係小子,失丈夫。The second SIX, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the little boy, and lets go the man of age and experience.象曰:系小子,弗兼與也。
- 六三 · Line 3係丈夫,失小子。隨,有求得利,居貞。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.象曰:系丈夫,志舍下也。
- 九四 · Line 4隨有獲,貞凶。有孚在道,以明,何咎。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?象曰:隨有獲,其義凶也。有孚在道,明功也。
- 九五 · Line 5孚于嘉,吉。The fifth NINE, undivided, shows us (the ruler) sincere in (fostering all) that is excellent. There will be good fortune.象曰:孚于嘉,吉;位正中也。
- 上六 · Line 6拘係之,乃從維之。王用亨于西山。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.象曰:拘系之,上窮也。
English: James Legge (1882), public domain · Text · Image (Appendix II), sacred-texts.com.