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I Ching hexagram 17, Sui
Hexagram 17

Sui

Following the Current

Classical name: Sui

When you receive Hexagram 17, Sui, the I Ching turns your attention to following the current. Following. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.

The Judgment

Following. Great progress and success. Hold firm and correct. Then there is no error.

Classical (Legge)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

Thunder hidden within the marsh. One who is centered, as darkness gathers, enters the house and rests.

Classical (Legge)(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.

The Changing Lines

Nine at the beginning

The object of pursuit changes. With firm and correct there will be good fortune. Going beyond one's own gate for exchange brings merit.

Classical (Legge)The object of pursuit is changed. With firm correctness there will be good fortune. Going beyond (his own) gate for social intercourse brings merit.

Six in the second place

Cling to the little boy, and lose the strong man.

Classical (Legge)If he cleave to the little boy, he will lose the strong man.

Six in the third place

Cling to the man of age and experience, and lose the little boy. Through following, one gets what is sought. It furthers to hold firm and correct.

Classical (Legge)If he cleave to the man of age and experience, he will lose the little boy. Through following, he will get what he seeks. It will be advantageous to maintain firmness and correctness.

Nine in the fourth place

Followed, and obtaining adherents. Even with firm and correct, there will be misfortune. If his sincerity is evident, what error can there be?

Classical (Legge)He is followed and obtains adherents. Though he be firm and correct, there will be evil. If he be sincere (in his course), and make that evident with intelligence, what error can there be?

Nine in the fifth place

Sincere in the pursuit of what is excellent. Good fortune.

Classical (Legge)(He shows himself) sincere in (the pursuit of) what is excellent. There will be good fortune.

Six at the top

Followed devotedly, and bound firmly to the purpose. The king introduces followers to worship on the western mountain.

Classical (Legge)He is followed devotedly, and bound firmly (to his object). The king introduces his followers to worship on the western mountain.

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