Meng
Youthful Inexperience
When you receive Hexagram 4, Meng, the I Ching turns your attention to youthful inexperience. Youthful Inexperience brings success. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Youthful Inexperience brings success. I do not seek the young fool. The young fool seeks me. At the first inquiry, I instruct. If he asks a second and third time, that is pestering, and I do not instruct the pest. Hold firm and correct.
Classical (Legge)Mang (indicates that in the case which it presupposes) there will be progress and success. I do not (go and) seek the youthful and inexperienced, but he comes and seeks me. When he shows (the sincerity that marks) the first recourse to divination, I instruct him. If he apply a second and third time, that is troublesome; and I do not instruct the troublesome. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.
The Image
A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain. The centered one cultivates character through resolute conduct and nourishes virtue.
Classical (Legge)(The trigram representing) a mountain, and beneath it that for a spring issuing forth form Mang. The superior man, in accordance with this, strives to be resolute in his conduct and nourishes his virtue.
The Changing Lines
Dispelling ignorance. It furthers to impose discipline, to remove the shackles and fetters. If constraint persists beyond its purpose, there will be regret.
Classical (Legge)(In the case indicated by) the dispelling of ignorance, it will be advantageous to use punishment, (and to do that,) let the shackles and fetters be removed. If those things continue, there will be occasion for regret.
Bearing with the ignorant kindly brings good fortune. Taking a wife brings good fortune. The son is able to carry the weight of his household.
Classical (Legge)(The subject of this line) treats the ignorant kindly. There will be good fortune. He takes a wife. There will be good fortune. The son is able to (sustain the burden of) his family.
Do not take such a wife. She sees a man of wealth and will not keep herself for her lord. Nothing furthers.
Classical (Legge)(The subject of this line) should not take a wife. She sees a man of wealth; she will not keep her person (for her lord); there will be nothing advantageous.
Bound in chains of ignorance. There will be cause for regret.
Classical (Legge)Bound in chains of ignorance. There will be occasion for regret.
A simple youth without experience. Good fortune.
Classical (Legge)A simple lad without experience. There will be good fortune.
Striking at ignorance. It does no good to cause injury. It does good to ward off injury.
Classical (Legge)Smiting the ignorant (youth). But no advantage will come from doing him an injury. Advantage would come from warding off injury (from him).
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