17 · 隨

Hexagram 17, 隨. Original Chinese judgment: 元亨利貞，无咎。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

元亨利貞，无咎。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初九：官有渝，貞吉。出門交有功。
  2. 六二：系小子，失丈夫。
  3. 六三：系丈夫，失小子。隨有求得，利居貞。
  4. 九四：隨有獲，貞凶。有孚在道，以明，何咎。
  5. 九五：孚于嘉，吉。
  6. 上六：拘系之，乃從維之。王用亨于西山。

Tuan commentary

隨，剛來而下柔，動而說，隨。大亨貞，无咎，而天下隨時，隨之時義大矣哉！

维基文库 · 周易 · 随

Great Image commentary

澤中有雷，隨；君子以嚮晦入宴息。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 官有渝，從正吉也。出門交有功，不失也。
  2. 系小子，弗兼與也。
  3. 系丈夫，志舍下也。
  4. 隨有獲，其義凶也。有孚在道，明功也。
  5. 孚于嘉，吉；位正中也。
  6. 拘系之，上窮也。

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese

Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.

朱熹《周易本義》

維基文庫 · 周易本義（四庫全書本）卷一

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains following through firmness coming beneath yielding and movement meeting joy. Following one another can readily bring unhindered progress, but what is followed must accord with correctness; otherwise blame remains possible.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. The first yang line governs movement in Zhen. Following changes the former pattern; only following correctness and going beyond the doorway to associate widely avoids private partiality.
  2. Yielding yin in the second line favors the nearby first yang line but loses its distant proper correspondence with the fifth. Both choices cannot be retained, and the object followed becomes unsuitable.
  3. The third yin line approaches the fourth yang line and leaves the first. Following strength may obtain what is sought, but this is not proper correspondence; avoid corrupt flattery and maintain correctness.
  4. The fourth yang line shares virtue with the fifth. Following brings gain but risks pressing upon those above. Trustworthiness, accordance with the way and openness are needed for both above and below to follow peacefully.
  5. Firm, centered correctness in the fifth yang line corresponds below with the centered, correct second yin line, sincerely following the good way. Correct position and the center make this auspicious.
  6. At the extreme of following, the bond becomes inseparable. Zhu Xi explains sincerity reaching its utmost as communicating with spiritual powers and connects this with the image of sacrificial offerings.

Plain-language reading

Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.

Judgment introduction

Sui concerns mutual responsiveness and following. Following can bring unhindered progress, but does not mean abandoning judgment. Choose whom to follow and maintain proper principles, rather than losing direction through blind obedience or private interests.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. Beginning to follow changes the usual situation. Follow what is right and go beyond the household to associate broadly, rather than becoming narrowly private.
  2. Clinging only to someone nearby means losing a distant person who truly corresponds. Both choices cannot be retained.
  3. Leaving the near to follow the strong may bring gains, but the relationship is not a proper correspondence. Guard against flattery and remain correct.
  4. Gains from following may create pressure on the superior. Sincerity in accordance with the proper path and open conduct are needed to avoid blame.
  5. Central and correct, responding to someone likewise central and correct, one follows a good path with sincerity; the reading calls this auspicious.
  6. A bond is so firm it cannot readily be loosened. Sincerity reaches its utmost, expressing a careful and solemn connection.

Read the source