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周易 - Book of Changes

[Western Zhou (1046 BC - 771 BC)] English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《周易》 Library Resources
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[Also known as: 《易》, "I Ching", "Yi Jing"]

易經 - Yi Jing

Books referencing 《易經》 Library Resources

䷬萃 - Cui

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《䷬萃》 Library Resources
1 ䷬萃:
萃:亨。王假有廟,利見大人,亨,利貞。用大牲吉,利有攸往。
Cui:
In (the state denoted by) Cui, the king will repair to his ancestral temple. It will be advantageous (also) to meet with the great man; and then there will be progress and success, though the advantage must come through firm correctness. The use of great victims will conduce to good fortune; and in whatever direction movement is made, it will be advantageous.
彖傳:
萃,聚也;順以說,剛中而應,故聚也。王假有廟,致孝享也。利見大人亨,聚以正也。用大牲吉,利有攸往,順天命也。觀其所聚,而天地萬物之情可見矣。
Tuan Zhuan:
Cui indicates (the condition of union, or) being collected. We have in it (the symbol of) docile obedience going on to (what is expressed by that of) satisfaction. There is the strong line in the central place, and rightly responded to. Hence comes the (idea of) union. 'The king will repair to his ancestral temple:' - with the utmost filial piety he presents his offerings (to the spirits of his ancestors). 'It will be advantageous to meet the great man, and there will then be prosperity and success:' - the union effected by him will be on and through what is correct. 'The, use of great victims will conduce to good fortune; and in whatsoever direction movement is made, it will be advantageous:' - all is done in accordance with the ordinances of Heaven. When we look at the way in which the gatherings (here shown) take place, the natural tendencies (in the outward action) of heaven and earth and of all things can be seen..
象傳:
澤上於地,萃;君子以除戎,戒不虞。
Xiang Zhuan:
(The trigram representing the) earth and that for the waters of a marsh raised above it form Cui. The superior man, in accordance with this, has his weapons of war put in good repair, to be prepared against unforeseen contingencies.

繫辭上 - Xi Ci I

English translation: James Legge [?] Library Resources
[Also known as: "The Great Treatise I"]

8 繫辭上:
聖人有以見天下之賾,而擬諸其形容,象其物宜,是故謂之象。聖人有以見天下之動,而觀其會通,以行其典禮。繫辭焉,以斷其吉凶,是故謂之爻。言天下之至賾,而不可惡也。言天下之至動,而不可亂也。擬之而後言,議之而後動,擬議以成其變化。「鳴鶴在陰,其子和之,我有好爵,吾與爾靡之。」
Xi Ci I:
The sage was able to survey all the complex phenomena under the sky. He then considered in his mind how they could be figured, and (by means of the diagrams) represented their material forms and their character. Hence these (diagrams) are denominated Semblances (or emblematic figures, the Hsiang). A (later) sage was able to survey the motive influences working all under the sky. He contemplated them in. their common action and special nature, in order to bring out the standard and proper tendency of each. He then appended his explanation (to each line of the diagrams), to determine the good or evil indicated by it. Hence those (lines with their explanations) are denominated Imitations (the Yao). (The diagrams) speak of the most complex phenomena under the sky, and yet there is nothing in them that need awaken dislike; the explanations of the lines speak of the subtlest movements under the sky, and yet there is nothing in them to produce confusion. (A learner) will consider what is said (under the diagrams), and then speak; he will deliberate on what is said (in the explanations of the lines), and then move. By such consideration and deliberations he will be able to make all the changes which he undertakes successful.
'Here hid, retired, cries out the crane;
Her young's responsive cry sounds there.
Of spirits good I drain this cup;
With thee a cup I'll freely share.'
子曰:「君子居其室,出其言,善則千里之外應之,況其邇者乎,居其室,出其言不善,則千里之外違之,況其邇者乎,言出乎身,加乎民,行發乎邇,見乎遠。言行君子之樞機,樞機之發,榮辱之主也。言行,君子之所以動天地也,可不慎乎。」
The Master said: - 'The superior man occupies his apartment and sends forth his words. If they be good, they will be responded to at a distance of more than a thousand Li; - how much more will they be so in the nearer circle! He occupies his apartment and sends forth his words. If they be evil, they will awaken opposition at a distance of more than a thousand Li; - how much more will they do so in the nearer circle! Words issue from one's person, and proceed to affect the people. Actions proceed from what is near, and their effects are seen at a distance. Words and actions are the hinge and spring of the superior man. The movement of that hinge and spring determines glory or disgrace. His words and actions move heaven and earth; - may he be careless in regard to them?'
「同人,先號咷而後笑。」子曰:「君子之道,或出或處,或默或語,二人同心,其利斷金。同心之言,其臭如蘭。」
'(The representative of) the union of men first cries out and weeps, and afterwards laughs.' The Master said, on this, -
'The ways of good men (different seem).
This in a public office toils;
That in his home the time beguiles.
One man his lips with silence seals;
Another all his mind reveals.
But when two men are one in heart,
Not iron bolts keep them apart;
The words they in their union use,
Fragrance like orchid plants diffuse.'
「初六,藉用白茅,无咎。」子曰:「苟錯諸地而可矣。藉之用茅,何咎之有?慎之至也。夫茅之為物薄,而用可重也。慎斯術也以往,其无所失矣。」
'The first six, (divided), shows its subject placing mats of the white grass beneath what he sets on the ground.' The Master said: - 'To place the things on the ground might be considered sufficient; but when he places beneath them mats of the white grass, what occasion for blame can there be? Such a course shows the height of carefulness. The white grass is a trivial thing, but, through the use made of it, it may become important. He who goes forward using such careful art will not fall into any error.'
「勞謙君子,有終吉。」子曰:「勞而不伐,有功而不德,厚之至也,語以其功下人者也。德言盛,禮言恭,謙也者,致恭以存其位者也。」
'A superior man toiling laboriously and yet humble! He will bring things to an end, and with good fortune.' The Master said on this: - 'He toils with success, but does not boast of it; he achieves merit, but takes no virtue to himself from it; - this is the height of generous goodness, and speaks of the man who with (great) merit yet places himself below others. He wishes his virtue to be more and more complete, and in his intercourse with others to be more and more respectful; - he who is so humble, carrying his respectfulness to the utmost, will be able to preserve himself in his position.'
「亢龍有悔」,子曰:「貴而无位,高而无民,賢人在下位而无輔,是以動而有悔也。」
'The dragon (is seen) beyond his proper haunts; there will be occasion for repentance.' The Master said on this: - 'He is noble, but is not in his correct place; he is on high, but there are no people to acknowledge him; there is a man of virtue and ability below, but he will not assist him. Hence whatever movement he may make will give occasion for repentance.'
「不出戶庭,无咎。」子曰:「亂之所生也,則言語以為階。君不密,則失臣;臣不密,則失身;幾事不密,則害成。是以君子慎密而不出也。」
'He does not quit the courtyard before his door; - there will be no occasion for blame.' The Master said on this: - 'When disorder arises, it will be found that (ill-advised) speech was the steppingstone to it. If a ruler do not keep secret (his deliberations with his minister), he will lose that minister. If a minister do not keep secret (his deliberations with his ruler), he will lose his life. If (important) matters in the germ be not kept secret, that will be injurious to their accomplishment. Therefore the superior man is careful to maintain secrecy, and does not allow himself to speak.'
子曰:「作易者其知盜乎?易曰:負且乘,致寇至。負也者,小人之事也。乘也者,君子之也。小人而乘君子之,盜思奪之矣!上慢下暴,盜思伐之矣!慢藏誨盜,冶容誨淫,易曰:「負且乘,致寇至,盜之招也。」
The Master said: - 'The makers of the Yi may be said to have known (the philosophy of) robbery. The Yi says, "He is a burden-bearer, and yet rides in a carriage, thereby exciting robbers to attack him." Burden-bearing is the business of a small man. A carriage is the vehicle of a gentleman. When a small man rides in the vehicle of a gentle man, robbers will think of taking it from him. (When one is) insolent to those above him, and oppressive to those below, robbers will wish to attack him. Careless laying up of things excites to robbery, (as a woman's) adorning of herself excites to lust. What the Yi says about the burden-bearer's riding in a carriage, and exciting robbers to attack him, (shows how) robbery is called out.'

10 繫辭上:
易有聖人之道四焉;以言者尚其辭,以動者尚其變,以制者尚其象,以卜筮者尚其占。以君子將有為也,將有行也,問焉而以言,其受命也如響,无有遠近幽深,遂知來物。非天下之至精,其孰能與於此。
Xi Ci I:
In the Yi there are four things characteristic of the way of the sages. We should set the highest value on its explanations to guide us in speaking; on its changes for (the initiation of) our movements; on its emblematic figures for (definite action as in) the construction of implements; and on its prognostications for our practice of divination. Therefore, when a superior man is about to take action of a more private or of a public character, he asks (the Yi), making his inquiry in words. It receives his order, and the answer comes as the echo's response. Be the subject remote or near, mysterious or deep, he forthwith knows of what kind will be the coming result. (If the Yi) were not the most exquisite thing under heaven, would it be concerned in such an operation as this?
參伍以變,錯綜其數,通其變,遂成天下之文。極其數,遂定天下之象。非天下之至變,其孰能與於此。易无思也,无為也,寂然不動,感而遂通天下之故。非天下之至神,其孰能與於此。
(The stalks) are manipulated by threes and fives to determine (one) change; they are laid on opposite sides, and placed one up, one down, to make sure of their numbers; and the (three necessary) changes are gone through with in this way, till they form the figures pertaining to heaven or to earth. Their numbers are exactly determined, and the emblems of (all things) under the sky are fixed. (If the Yi) were not the thing most capable of change of all things under heaven, how could it effect such a result as this? In (all these operations forming) the Yi, there is no thought and no action. It is still and without movement; but, when acted on, it penetrates forthwith to all phenomena and events under the sky. If it were not the most spirit-like thing under the sky, how could it be found doing this?
夫易,聖人之所以極深而研幾也。唯深也,故能通天下之志。唯幾也,故能成天下之務。唯神也,故不疾而速,不行而至。子曰:「易有聖人之道四焉」者,此之謂也。
The (operations forming the) Yi are the method by which the sages searched out exhaustively what was deep, and investigated the minutest springs (of things). 'Those operations searched out what was deep:' - therefore they could penetrate to the views of all under the sky. 'They made apparent the minutest springs of (things):' - therefore they could bring to a completion all undertakings under the sky. 'Their action was spirit-like:' - therefore they could make speed without hurry, and reached their destination without travelling. This is the import of what the Master said, that 'In the Yi there are four things indicating the way of the sages.'

11 繫辭上:
子曰:「夫易,何為者也?夫易開物成務,冒天下之道,如斯而已者也。是故,聖人以通天下之志,以定天下之業,以斷天下之疑。」是故,蓍之德,圓而神;卦之德,方以知;六爻之義,易以貢。聖人以此洗心,退藏於密,吉凶與民同患。神以知來,知以藏往,其孰能與此哉!古之聰明叡知神武而不殺者夫?
Xi Ci I:
The Master said: - 'What is it that the Yi does? The Yi opens up (the knowledge of the issues of) things, accomplishes the undertakings (of men), and embraces under it (the way of) all things under the sky. This and nothing more is what the Yi does. Thereby the sages, through (divination by) it, would give their proper course to the aims of all under the sky, would give stability to their undertakings, and determine their doubts.' Therefore the virtue of the stalks is versatile and spirit-like; that of the diagrams is exact and wise; and the meaning given by the six lines is changeful to give (the proper information to men). The sages having, by their possession of these (three virtues), cleansed their minds, retired and laid them up in the secrecy (of their own consciousness). But their sympathies were with the people in regard both to their good fortune and evil. By their spirit-like ability they knew (the character of) coming events, and their wisdom had stored up (all experiences of) the past. Who could be able to accomplish all this? (Only our) ancient sages, quick in apprehension and clear in discernment, of far-reaching intelligence, and all-embracing knowledge, and with a majesty, going spirit-like to its objects; - it was only they who could do so.
是以,明於天之道,而察於民之故,是興神物以前民用。聖人以此齊戒,以神明其德夫!是故,闔戶謂之坤;闢戶謂之乾;一闔一闢謂之變;往來不窮謂之通;見乃謂之象;形乃謂之;制而用之,謂之法;利用出入,民咸用之,謂之神。
Therefore (those sages), fully understanding the way of Heaven, and having clearly ascertained the experience of the people, instituted (the employment of) these spirit-like things, as a provision for the use of the people. The sages went about the employment of them (moreover) by purifying their hearts and with reverent caution, thereby giving (more) spirituality and intelligence to their virtue. Thus, a door shut may be pronounced (analogous to) Kun (or the inactive condition), and the opening of the door (analogous to) Qian (or the active condition). The opening succeeding the being shut may be pronounced (analogous to what we call) a change; and the passing from one of these states to the other may be called the constant course (of things). The (first) appearance of anything (as a bud) is what we call a semblance; when it has received its complete form, we call it a definite thing. (The divining-plant having been produced, the sages) set it apart and laid down the method of its employment, - what we call the laws (of divination). The advantage arising from it in external and internal matters, so that the people all use it, stamps it with a character which we call spirit-like.
是故,易有太極,是生兩儀,兩儀生四象,四象生八卦,八卦定吉凶,吉凶生大業。是故,法象莫大乎天地,變通莫大乎四時,縣象著明莫大乎日月,崇高莫大乎富貴;備物致用,立成以為天下利,莫大乎聖人;探賾索隱,鉤深致遠,以定天下之吉凶,成天下之亹亹者,莫大乎蓍龜。
Therefore in (the system of) the Yi there is the Grand Terminus, which produced the two elementary Forms. Those two Forms produced the Four emblematic Symbols, which again produced the eight Trigrams. The eight trigrams served to determine the good and evil (issues of events), and from this determination was produced the (successful prosecution of the) great business (of life). Therefore of all things that furnish models and visible figures there are none greater than heaven and earth; of things that change and extend an influence (on others) there are none greater than the four seasons; of things suspended (in the sky) with their figures displayed clear and bright, there are none greater than the sun and moon; of the honoured and exalted there are none greater than he who is the rich and noble (one); in preparing things for practical use, and inventing and making instruments for the benefit of all under the sky, there are none greater than the sages; to explore what is complex, search out what is hidden, to hook up what lies deep, and reach to what is distant, thereby determining (the issues) for good or ill of all events under the sky, and making all men under heaven full of strenuous endeavours, there are no (agencies) greater than those of the stalks and the tortoise-shell.
是故,天生神物,聖人則之;天地變化,聖人效之;天垂象,見吉凶,聖人象之。河出圖,洛出書,聖人則之。易有四象,所以示也。繫辭焉,所以告也。定之以吉凶,所以斷也。
Therefore Heaven produced the spirit-like things, and the sages took advantage of them. (The operations of) heaven and earth are marked by (so many) changes and transformations; and the sages imitated them (by means of the Yi). Heaven hangs out its (brilliant) figures from which are seen good fortune and bad, and the sages made their emblematic interpretations accordingly. The He gave forth the map, and the Lo the writing, of (both of) which the sages took advantage. In the (scheme of the) Yi there are the four symbolic figures by which they inform men (in divining of the lines making up the diagrams); the explanations appended to them convey the significance (of the diagrams and lines); and the determination (of the divination) as fortunate or the reverse, to settle the doubts (of men).

12 繫辭上:
易曰:「自天祐之,吉无不利。」子曰:「祐者,助也。天之所助者,順也;人之所助者,信也。履信思乎順,又以尚賢也。是以自天祐之,吉无不利也。」
Xi Ci I:
It is said in the Yi, 'Help is given to him from Heaven. There will be good fortune; advantage in every respect.' The Master said: - 'You is the symbol of assisting. He whom Heaven assists is observant (of what is right); he whom men assist is sincere. The individual here indicated treads the path of sincerity and desires to be observant (of what is right), and studies to exalt the worthy. Hence "Help is given to him from Heaven. There will be good fortune, advantage in every respect."'
子曰:「書不盡言,言不盡意。然則聖人之意,其不可見乎。」子曰:「聖人立象以盡意,設卦以盡情偽,繫辭以盡其言,變而通之以盡利,鼓之舞之以盡神。」
The Master said: - 'The written characters are not the full exponent of speech, and speech is not the full expression of ideas; - is it impossible then to discover the ideas of the sages?' The Master said: - 'The sages made their emblematic symbols to set forth fully their ideas; appointed (all) the diagrams to show fully the truth and falsehood (of things); appended their explanations to give the full expression of their words; and changed (the various lines) and made general the method of doing so, to exhibit fully what was advantageous. They (thus) stimulated (the people) as by drums and dances, thereby completely developing the spirit-like (character of the Yi).'
乾坤其易之縕邪?乾坤成列,而易立乎其中矣。乾坤毀,則无以見易,易不可見,則乾坤或幾乎息矣。是故,形而上者謂之道,形而下者謂之。化而裁之謂之變,推而行之謂之通,舉而錯之天下之民,謂之事業。
May we not say that Qian and Kun [= the yang and yin, or the undivided and divided lines] are the secret and substance of the Yi? Qian and Kun being established in their several places, the system of changes was thereby constituted. If Qian and Kun were taken away, there would be no means of seeing that system; and if that system were not seen, Qian and Kun would almost cease to act. Hence that which is antecedent to the material form exists, we say, as an ideal method, and that which is subsequent to the material form exists, we say, as a definite thing. Transformation and shaping is what we call change; carrying this out and operating with it is what we call generalising the method; taking the result and setting it forth for all the people under heaven is, we say, (securing the success of) the business of life.
是故,夫象,聖人有以見天下之賾,而擬諸其形容,象其物宜,是故謂之象。聖人有以見天下之動,而觀其會通,以行其典禮,繫辭焉,以斷其吉凶,是故謂之爻。極天下之賾者,存乎卦;鼓天下之動者,存乎辭;化而裁之,存乎變;推而行之,存乎通;神而明之,存乎其人;默而成之,不言而信,存乎德行。
Hence, to speak of the emblematic figures: - (The sage) was able to survey all the complex phenomena under the sky. He then considered in his mind how they could be figured, and (by means of the diagrams) represented their material forms and their character. Hence those (diagrams) are denominated Semblances. A (later) sage was able to survey the motive influences working all under the sky. He contemplated them in their common action and special nature, in order to bring out the standard and proper tendency of each. He then appended his explanation (to each line), to determine the good or evil indicated by it. Hence those (lines with their explanations) are denominated Imitations (the Yao). The most thorough mastery of all the complex phenomena under the sky is obtained from the diagrams. The greatest stimulus to movement in adaptation to all affairs under the sky is obtained from the explanations. The transformations and shaping that take place are obtained from the changes (of the lines); the carrying this out and operating with it is obtained from the general method (that has been established). The seeing their spirit-like intimations and understanding them depended on their being the proper men; and the completing (the study of) them by silent meditation, and securing the faith of others without the use of words, depended on their virtuous conduct.

繫辭下 - Xi Ci II

English translation: James Legge [?] Library Resources
[Also known as: "The Great Treatise II"]

5 繫辭下:
易曰:「憧憧往來,朋從爾思。」子曰:「天下何思何慮?天下同歸而殊塗,一致而百慮,天下何思何慮?」
Xi Ci II:
It is said in the Yi, 'Full of anxious thoughts you go and come; (only) friends will follow you and think with you.' The Master said: - 'In all (the processes taking place) under heaven, what is there of thinking? what is there of anxious scheming? They all come to the same (successful) issue, though by different paths; there is one result, though there might be a hundred anxious schemes. What is there of thinking? what is there of anxious scheming?'
「日往則月來,月往則日來,日月相推而明生焉。寒往則暑來,暑往則寒來,寒暑相推而歲成焉。往者屈也,來者信也,屈信相感而利生焉。」
The sun goes and the moon comes; the moon goes and the sun comes; - the sun and moon thus take the place each of the other, and their shining is the result. The cold goes and the heat comes; the heat goes and the cold comes; - it is by this mutual succession of the cold and heat that the year is completed. That which goes becomes less and less, and that which comes waxes more and more; - it is by the influence on each other of this contraction and expansion that the advantages (of the different conditions) are produced.
「尺蠖之屈,以求信也。龍蛇之蟄,以存身也。精義入神,以致用也。利用安身,以崇德也。過此以往,未之或知也。窮神知化,德之盛也。」
When the looper coils itself up, it thereby straightens itself again; when worms and snakes go into the state of hybernation, they thereby keep themselves alive. (So), when we minutely investigate the nature and reasons (of things), till we have entered into the inscrutable and spirit-like in them, we attain to the largest practical application of them; when that application becomes the quickest and readiest, and all personal restfulness is secured, our virtue is thereby exalted. Going on beyond this, we reach a point which it is hardly possible to know. We have thoroughly comprehended the inscrutable and spirit-like, and know the processes of transformation; - this is the fulness of virtue.
易曰:「困于石,據于蒺蔾,入于其宮,不見其妻,凶。」子曰:「非所困而困焉,名必辱。非所據而據焉,身必危。既辱且危,死期將至,妻其可得見耶?」
It is said in the Yi, '(The third line shows its subject) distressed before a rock, and trying to lay hold of thorns; entering into his palace and not seeing his wife: - there will be evil.' The Master said: - 'If one be distressed by what need not distress him, his name is sure to be disgraced; if he lay hold on what he should not touch, his life is sure to be imperilled. In disgrace and danger, his death will (soon) come; - is it possible for him in such circumstances to see his wife?'
易曰:「公用射隼,于高墉之上,獲之无不利。」子曰:「隼者禽也,弓矢者也,射之者人也。君子藏於身,待時而動,何不利之有?動而不括,是以出而有獲,語成而動者也。」
It is said in the Yi, 'The duke with (his bow) shoots at the falcon on the top of the high wall; he hits it: - his every movement will be advantageous.' The Master said: - 'The falcon is a bird (of prey); the bow and arrow is a weapon (of war); the shooter is a man. The superior man keeps his weapon concealed about his person, and waits for the proper time to move; - doing this, how should his movement be other than successful? There is nothing to fetter or embarrass his movement; and hence, when he comes forth, he succeeds in his object. The language speaks of movement when the instrument necessary to it is ready and perfect.'
子曰:「小人不恥不仁,不畏不義,不見利不勸,不威不懲,小懲而大誡,此小人之福也。易曰:『履校滅趾无咎,此之謂也』。」
The Master said: - 'The small man is not ashamed of what is not benevolent, nor does he fear to do what is not righteous. Without the prospect of gain he does not stimulate himself to what is good, nor does he correct himself without being moved. Self-correction, however, in what is small will make him careful in what would be of greater consequence; - and this is the happiness of the small man. It is said in the Yi, "His feet are in the stocks, and he is disabled in his toes: - there will be no (further) occasion for blame."'
「善不積,不足以成名;惡不積,不足以滅身。小人以小善為无益,而弗為也,以小惡為无傷,而弗去也,故惡積而不可掩,罪大而不可解。易曰:『何校滅耳凶』。」
If acts of goodness be not accumulated, they are not sufficient to give its finish to one's name; if acts of evil be not accumulated, they are not sufficient to destroy one's life. The small man thinks that small acts of goodness are of no benefit, and does not do them; and that small deeds of evil do no harm, and does not abstain from them. Hence his wickedness becomes great till it cannot be covered, and his guilt becomes great till it cannot be pardoned. This is what the Yi says, 'He wears the cangue and his ears are destroyed: - there will be evil.'
子曰:「危者,安其位者也;亡者,保其存者也;亂者,有其治者也。是故,君子安而不忘危,存而不忘亡,治而不忘亂;是以身安而國家可保也。易曰:『其亡其亡,繫于苞桑』。」
The Master said: - 'He who keeps danger in mind is he who will rest safe in his seat; he who keeps ruin in mind is he who will preserve his interests secure; he who sets the danger of disorder before him is he who will maintain the state of order. Therefore the superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come; when in a state of security, he does not forget the possibility of ruin; and when all is in a state of order, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is kept safe, and his states and all their clans can be preserved. This is according to what the Yi says, "(Let him say), 'Shall I perish? shall I perish?' (so shall this state be firm, as if) bound to a clump of bushy mulberry trees."'
子曰:「德薄而位尊,知小而謀大,力小而任重,鮮不及矣,易曰:『鼎折足,覆公餗,其形渥,凶。』言不勝其任也。」
The Master said: - 'Virtue small and office high; wisdom small and plans great; strength small and burden heavy: - where such conditions exist, it is seldom that they do not end (in evil). As is said in the Yi, "The tripod's feet are overthrown, and the ruler's food is overturned. The body of him (who is thus indicated) is wet (with shame):there will be evil."'
子曰:「知幾其神乎?君子上交不諂,下交不瀆,其知幾乎,幾者動之微,吉之先見者也,君子見幾而作,不俟終日。易曰:『介于石,不終日,貞吉。』介如石焉,寧用終日,斷可識矣,君子知微知彰,知柔知剛,萬夫之望。」
The Master said: - 'Does not he who knows the springs of things possess spirit-like wisdom? The superior man, in his intercourse with the high, uses no flattery, and, in his intercourse with the low, no coarse freedom: - does not this show that he knows the springs of things? Those springs are the slight beginnings of movement, and the earliest indications of good fortune (or ill). The superior man sees them, and acts accordingly without waiting for (the delay of) a single day. As is said in the Yi, "He is firm as a rock, (and acts) without the delay of a single day. With firm goodness there will be good fortune." Firm as a rock, how should he have to wait a single day to ensure his knowing (those springs and his course)? The superior man knows the minute and the manifested; he knows what is weak, and what is strong: - he is a model to ten thousand.'
子曰:「顏氏之子,其殆庶幾乎?有不善未嘗不知,知之未嘗復行也。易曰:『不遠復,无祇悔,元吉。』」
The Master said: - 'I may venture to say that the son of the Yan family had nearly attained (the standard of perfection). If anything that he did was not good, he was sure to become conscious of that; and when he knew it, he did not do the thing again. As is said in the Yi, "(The first line shows its subject) returning from an error that has not led him far away. There is no occasion for repentance. There will be great good."'
天地絪縕,萬物化醇,男女構精,萬物化生,易曰:『三人行,則損一人;一人行,則得其友。』言致一也。
There is an intermingling of the genial influences of heaven and earth, and transformation in its various forms abundantly proceeds. There is an intercommunication of seed between male and female, and transformation in its living types proceeds. What is said in the Yi, 'Three individuals are walking together and one is made to disappear; there is (but) one man walking, and he gets his mate,' tells us of the effort (in nature) at oneness (of operation).
子曰:「君子安其身而後動,易其心而後語,定其交而後求,君子脩此三者,故全也,危以動,則民不與也,懼以語,則民不應也,无交而求,則民不與也,莫之與,則傷之者至矣。易曰:『莫益之,或擊之,立心勿恆,凶。』。」
The Master said: - 'The superior man (in a high place) composes himself before he (tries to) move others; makes his mind restful and easy before he speaks; settles (the principles of) his intercourse with others before he seeks anything from them. The superior man cultivates these three things, and so is complete. If he try to move others while he is himself in unrest, the people will not (act) with him; if he speak while he is himself in a state of apprehension, the people will not respond to him; if without (certain principles of) intercommunication, he issue his requests, the people will not grant them. When there are none to accord with him, those who (work to) injure him will make their appearance. As is said in the Yi, "(We see one) to whose advantage none will contribute, while some will seek to assail him. He observes no regular rule in the ordering of his heart: - there will be evil."'

12 繫辭下:
夫乾,天下之至健也,德行恆易以知險,夫坤,天下之至順也,德行恆簡以知阻。
Xi Ci II:
(The hexagram) Qian represents the strongest of all under the sky. Through this quality its operations are always manifested with ease, for it knows where there would be peril and embarrassment. (The hexagram) Kun represents the most docile of all under the sky. Through this quality its operations are always manifested with the promptest decision, for it knows where there would be obstruction.
能說諸心,能研諸侯之慮,定天下之吉凶,成天下之亹亹者,是故,變化云為,吉事有祥,象事知,占事知來。天地設位,聖人成能。人謀鬼謀,百姓與能。
(The sages, who are thus represented, and who made the Yi,) were able to rejoice in heart (in the absolute truth of things), and were able (also) to weigh carefully all matters that could occasion anxiety; (thus) they fixed the good and bad fortune (of all things) under the sky, and could accomplish the things requiring strenuous efforts. Therefore amid the changes and transformations (taking place in heaven and earth), and the words and deeds of men, events that are to be fortunate have their happy omens. (The sages) knew the definite principles underlying the prognostications of the former class, and the future of those of the latter, (now to be) ascertained by divination. The places of heaven and earth (in the diagrams) having been determined, the sages were able (by means of the Yi) to carry out and complete their ability. (In this way even) the common people were able to share with them in (deciding about) the counsels of men and the counsels of spiritual beings.
八卦以象告,爻彖以情言,剛柔雜居,而吉凶可見矣。
The eight trigrams communicate their information by their emblematic figures. The explanations appended to the lines and the completed figures tell how the contemplation of them affected (the makers). The strong and the weak lines appear mixed in them, and (thus) the good and the evil (which they indicate) can be seen.
變動以利言,吉凶以情遷。是故愛惡相攻而吉凶生,遠近相取而悔吝生,情偽相感而利害生。凡易之情,近而不相得則凶,或害之,悔且吝。
The changes and movements (which take place in the manipulation of the stalks and the formation of the diagrams) speak as from the standpoint of what is advantageous. The (intimations of) good and evil vary according to the place and nature (of the lines). Thus they may indicate a mutual influence (in any two of them) of love or hatred, and good or evil is the result; or that mutual influence may be affected by the nearness of the lines to, or their distance from, each other, and then repentance or regret is the result; or the influence may be that of truth or of hypocrisy, and then the result is what is advantageous, or what is injurious. In all these relations of the (lines in the) Yi, if two are near and do not blend harmoniously, there may be (all these results), - evil, or what is injurious, or occasion for repentance and regret.
將叛者其辭慚,中心疑者其辭枝,吉人之辭寡,躁人之辭多,誣善之人其辭游,失其守者其辭屈。
The language of him who is meditating a revolt (from the right) betrays his inward shame; that of him whose inward heart doubts about it diverges to other topics. The words of a good man are few; those of a coarse man are many. The words of one who slanders what is good are unsubstantial; those of him who is losing what he ought to keep are crooked.

序卦 - Xu Gua

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《序卦》 Library Resources
50 序卦:
者莫若長子,故受之以《震》。
Xu Gua:
For presiding over (that and all other) vessels, no one is equal to the eldest son, and hence Ding is followed by Zhen.

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