Nourishment

A strong line that could feed itself looks away toward another. Legge compares its subject to “a tortoise, which is supposed to live on air”, yet he is drawn out of himself by desire for the fourth line, at which he looks “till his jaw hangs down, or, as we say, his mouth waters”.

The commentary judges him “unfit to be thought noble”, and the text ends in evil. Legge supposes that the words of the line are spoken “by the fourth line to the first”.

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 23, Splitting Apart

This weak line cannot feed itself and looks in two wrong directions. Legge says it “seeks nourishment first from the strong line below, which is not proper, and then from the strong 6, not its proper correlate, and too far removed”.

The commentary puts the fault in “leaving in his movements his proper associates”. Wilhelm's verse closes with the warning that “Continuing to do this brings misfortune”.

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 41, Decrease

The third line goes against the method of nourishing, and firmness does not save it. Legge reads its subject as one who “considers himself sufficient for himself, without any help from without, and the issue is bad”.

The text sets a long pause with the words “For ten years let him not take any action”. The commentary gives the reason, which is that “his course is greatly opposed (to what is right)”.

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 22, Grace

Here the tone changes. Legge marks the step with the words “With line 4 we pass into the upper trigram”, and the text gives good fortune to one who looks downward for the power to nourish.

The line is weak, but in Legge's note it is “bent on nourishing and training all below”, and it looks to the strong first line for help. The text pictures that look as “a tiger's downward unwavering glare”, and Legge concludes that “there is no error”.

The commentary ties the good fortune to the place the line holds. It “shows how brilliant will be the diffusion (of that power) from (the subject of the line's) superior position”.

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 21, Biting Through

The one in this place is not strong enough for it. Legge says he “is not equal to the requirements of his position”, and the good fortune comes from “a firm reliance on the strong 6”. The commentary names the quality behind it, which is “docility”.

The text adds a limit about crossing the great stream, which this line should not try. Legge puts it plainly. “Let him not, however, engage in the most difficult undertakings.”

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 42, Increase

The top line is the source, “him from whom comes the nourishing”. The text calls his position “perilous” and still gives good fortune. Legge explains the peril as a weight, since “The task is hard and the responsibility great”. In his note the subject of the line “feels himself in the position of master or tutor to all under heaven”, and by realising the weight of the task “he will prove himself equal to them”.

Where the fifth line is kept from the great stream, this one hears that “It will be advantageous to cross the great stream”. The commentary says the outcome “affords great cause for congratulation”.

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 24, Return