The Yî King · James Legge
Judgment
(Looking at) Zing, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water of a well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.
1882 scan · p. 164Line 1 · Six, divided
The first line, divided, shows a well so muddy that men will not drink of it; or an old well to which neither birds (nor other creatures) resort.
1882 scan · p. 165Line 2 · Nine, undivided
The second line, undivided, shows a well from which by a hole the water escapes and flows away to the shrimps (and such small creatures among the grass), or one the water of which leaks away from a broken basket.
1882 scan · p. 165Line 3 · Nine, undivided
The third line, undivided, shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this, for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it.
1882 scan · p. 165Line 4 · Six, divided
The fourth line, divided, shows a well, the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error.
1882 scan · p. 166Line 5 · Nine, undivided
The fifth line, undivided, shows a clear, limpid well, (the waters from) whose cold spring are (freely) drunk.
1882 scan · p. 166Line 6 · Six, divided
The topmost line, divided, shows (the water from) the well brought to the top, which is not allowed to be covered. This suggests the idea of sincerity. There will be great good fortune.
1882 scan · p. 166James 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 ↗