Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 16.djvu/113

  The first line, undivided, shows its subject treading his accustomed path. If he go forward, there will be no error.

The second line, undivided, shows its subject treading the path that is level and easy;—a quiet and solitary man, to whom, if he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune.

The third line, divided, shows a one-eyed man (who thinks he) can see; a lame man (who thinks he) can walk well; one who treads on the tail of a tiger and is bitten. (All this indicates) ill fortune. We have a (mere) bravo acting the part of a great ruler.

The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject treading on the tail of a tiger. He becomes full of apprehensive caution, and in the end there will be good fortune.

The fifth line, undivided, shows the resolute tread of its subject. Though he be firm and correct, there will be peril.

The sixth line, undivided, tells us to look at (the whole course) that is trodden, and examine the

The strong lines are moved to sympathy and help, and 'there is no mistake.'

Line 5 occupies the central place of, and converts, by the sincerity of its subject, 4 and 6 into its neighbours, who suffer themselves to be used by it, and effect their common object.

In line 6, the idea of the hexagram has run its course. The harmony of nature is restored. The rain falls, and the onward march of the strong lines should now stop. But weakness that has achieved such a result, if it plume itself on it, will be in a position of peril; and like the full moon, which must henceforth wane. Let the superior man, when he has attained his end, remain in quiet.