蒙
MéngUpper: Mountain · 艮 · Lower: Water · 坎
Judgment亨。匪我求童蒙，童蒙求我。初筮告，再三渎，渎则不告。利贞。
In plain wordsThe learner must ask sincerely: the young one comes to seek the teacher, not the other way round. The first question gets an answer; asking again and again is disrespectful and gets none. Staying on the right course is what helps.
The imageMountain above, spring below: water has just bubbled out and has no course yet, like a seedling that is still unaware and needs guidance.
A hint for youLearn with sincerity and patience: think a question through before asking again, and do not test with the same one repeatedly. If you are the one teaching, there is no need to force-feed.
Line texts (bottom to top)
- 初六发蒙，利用刑人，用说桎梏，以往吝。The first line, divided, (has respect to) the dispelling of ignorance. It will be advantageous to use punishment (for that purpose), and to remove the shackles (from the mind). But going on in that way (of punishment) will give occasion for regret.
- 九二包蒙吉，纳妇吉，子克家。The second line, undivided, (shows its subject) exercising forbearance with the ignorant, in which there will be good fortune; and admitting (even the goodness of women, which will also be fortunate. (He may be described also as) a son able to (sustain the burden of) his family.
- 六三勿用取女，见金夫，不有躬，无攸利。The third line, divided, (seems to say) that one should not marry a woman whose emblem it might be, for that, when she sees a man of wealth, she will not keep her person from him, and in no wise will advantage come from her.
- 六四困蒙，吝。The fourth line, divided, (shows its subject as if) bound in chains of ignorance. There will be occasion for regret.
- 六五童蒙，吉。The fifth line, divided, shows its subject as a simple lad without experience. There will be good fortune.
- 上九击蒙，不利为寇，利御寇。In the topmost line, undivided, we see one smiting the ignorant (youth). But no advantage will come from doing him an injury. Advantage would come from warding off injury from him.
A learning stage; seek good guidance
For entertainment and self-reflection only