Inner Truth

The bottom line rests in itself, and it is the one line with good fortune. The text adds a warning, “If he sought to any other, he would not find rest”. The commentary gives the reason for the good fortune, that “no change has yet come over his purpose”.

Legge follows the view that this line does not look to another line for support. In that view “the virtue of sincerity is all centred in itself, thence derived and thereby powerful”.

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 59, Dispersion

A crane calls from a hidden place and her young answer. The commentary says the answer comes “from the (common) wish of the inmost heart”. The text gives this line no verdict.

Legge reads the cup that is offered and shared as “the symbolism of two men brought together by their sympathy in virtue”. He names the theme of the line in one sentence, “The subject of the paragraph is the effect of sincerity.” He adds that the young ones of the crane “are represented by line 1”.

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

This is the first of the two broken lines. Its subject has met a mate and his mood keeps turning. In the text “Now he weeps, and now he sings”, and no verdict follows. The commentary says only that “the position (of the line) is the appropriate one for it”.

Legge explains the swings. He says that the mate of this line is the top line. Here “Sincerity, not left to itself, is influenced from without, and hence come the changes and uncertainty in the state and moods of the subject of the line”.

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 9, Small Taming

The line gives two pictures, the moon nearly full and a horse whose fellow disappears, and finds no error. The commentary reads the horse as a parting, since “he breaks from his (former) companions, and mounts upwards”.

Legge reads the moon through the fifth line. The subject of the fourth “hastens on to the confidence of the ruler in 5, being symbolised as the moon nearly full”. He explains the team of horses through the lines too. The first and fourth lines were a pair, but the first “disappears here from the team, and 4 goes on and joins 5”.

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 10, Treading

The fifth line shows its subject “perfectly sincere, and linking (others) to him in closest union”, and the text finds no error. The commentary says the place of the line is “the correct and appropriate one”.

Legge calls the line “strong and central, in the ruler's place”. He sees in it “the sage on the throne, whose sincerity will go forth and bind all in union with himself”.

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

The top line is the only one that ends badly. A cock tries to mount to heaven, and the text says “Even with firm correctness there will be evil”. The commentary asks “how can (such an effort) continue long?”

Legge gives the plain reason. He says the efforts of its subject “will be ineffectual, and injurious to himself”. In his note “a cock is not fitted to fly high, and in attempting to do so will only suffer hurt”.

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 60, Limitation