4. Youthful Folly

The two trigrams

above

☶

The Mountain

艮 · gèn

a hill or mountain

below

☵

Water

坎 · kǎn

flowing water: rain, the clouds, springs, streams in defiles, the moon

The Judgement

This hexagram is about inexperience, the inexperience of the young, but also yours, every time you find yourself on new ground. And the news is good: there will be progress and success. The Judgment, though, is written like a teacher's answer to someone consulting him, and it contains a precise rule. I do not go and seek the youthful and inexperienced, it says, he comes and seeks me: whoever wants to learn must take the first step, not wait for life to deliver the lesson at home. When the question is sincere, the first time, I instruct him; but if he applies a second and third time with the same question, hoping for a different answer, that is troublesome, and I do not instruct the troublesome. If you have been asking everyone for advice about a choice, at work or in love, and you keep turning the question over and over, stop: you already have your answer. There is advantage in being firm and correct. Practical advice: choose one teacher, one person to talk to, ask your question once and honestly, and then act on what you have understood.

The Image

The Image is a mountain, and beneath it a spring issuing forth. Young water does not yet know where it is going, but one thing is certain: it keeps flowing, and little by little it makes its way. The wise person, Legge says, looking at this strives to be resolute in his conduct and nourishes his virtue. For you the rule is simple: when you do not yet know enough, the best thing is to be constant in your daily actions, study a little every day, keep the small promises, hold on to your good intentions. Advice: pick one good habit and carry it on for a month, no arguing with yourself.

First line

First line: this concerns the dispelling of ignorance. It is advantageous to use some strictness for that purpose, and to remove the shackles from the mind; but going on in that way will give occasion for regret. If you are dealing with someone who will not understand, a child, a colleague just starting out, or even a part of yourself that always procrastinates, a clear rule and a few consequences are useful. But be careful: discipline is an initial push, not a permanent method. Set a limit, and then return to dialogue.

Second line

Second line: whoever exercises forbearance with the ignorant will have good fortune; whoever admits even the goodness of women, as the ancient text puts it, will be fortunate too; and he is like a son able to sustain the burden of his family. This is the line of those who teach gently and know how to learn from everyone, without prejudice. If you find yourself guiding someone, or taking charge of the household in place of one who no longer can, do it with tolerance. Listen to those who are not usually listened to: that is where the luck comes from.

Third line

Third line: one should not marry a person such as the one represented here, who, as soon as she sees a man of wealth, cannot hold herself back, and from whom no advantage will come. Out of the metaphor, this line warns you against those who are dazzled by money or prestige, and against the part of you that would like easy shortcuts. If you are weighing a bond, a business partner, an offer that seems too good, look at the substance. Do not commit to someone who switches sides at the first advantage.

Fourth line

Fourth line: you are as if bound in chains of ignorance, and there will be occasion for regret. This is the line of someone far from anyone who could help and shut inside his own confusion. If these days you feel stuck, unable to make sense of a situation, and out of pride you do not ask, admit it: isolation is the real chain. The advice is practical: today, find a competent person and ask for an explanation. Regret comes only if you stay on your own.

Fifth line

Fifth line: a simple lad without experience, and there will be good fortune. This is not a weakness, it is the highest and most honourable place in the hexagram. The luck comes because your simplicity is joined to docility and humility: you know that you do not know, and you rely on those who do. If you are about to begin something new, a course, an assignment, the role of parent, do not pretend to skills you lack. Ask, listen, let yourself be taught: whoever shows up with this openness gets helped.

Sixth line

Sixth line: someone is smiting the ignorant youth; but no advantage will come from doing him an injury, while advantage would come from warding off injury from him. If you have reached the end of your patience with someone who will not learn, a child, a student, a colleague, this line stops you: harshness is no use. What helps is protecting, keeping away the bad company and the habits that ruin him. Change your strategy: instead of punishing, remove what is doing the harm.

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