The Yî King · James Legge
Judgment
Ta Kwang indicates that (under the conditions which it symbolises) it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.
1882 scan · p. 129Line 1 · Nine, undivided
The first line, undivided, shows its subject manifesting his strength in his toes. But advance will lead to evil,—most certainly.
1882 scan · p. 130Line 2 · Nine, undivided
The second line, undivided, shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune.
1882 scan · p. 130Line 3 · Nine, undivided
The third line, undivided, shows, in the case of a small man, one using all his strength; and in the case of a superior man, one whose rule is not to do so. Even with firm correctness the position would be perilous. (The exercise of strength in it might be compared to the case of) a ram butting against a fence, and getting his horns entangled.
1882 scan · p. 130Line 4 · Nine, undivided
The fourth line, undivided, shows (a case in which) firm correctness leads to good fortune, and occasion for repentance disappears. (We see) the fence opened without the horns being entangled. The strength is like that in the wheel-spokes of a large waggon.
1882 scan · p. 130Line 5 · Six, divided
The fifth line, divided, shows one who loses his ram(-like strength) in the ease of his position. (But) there will be no occasion for repentance.
1882 scan · p. 130Line 6 · Six, divided
The sixth line, divided, shows (one who may be compared to) the ram butting against the fence, and unable either to retreat, or to advance as he would fain do. There will not be advantage in any respect; but if he realise the difficulty (of his position), there will be good fortune.
1882 scan · p. 130James Legge · The Yî King (1882), Princeton scan. All 450 selected passages were independently image-read and compared by AI; unresolved print details remain. Not human or expert collation. Source and data ↗