17 · Following (SUÍ)
Following is not blind compliance. It means responding to the time and accepting change without losing the right direction.
The judgment
Following: great success. Favourable to steadfastness. No blame.
The time moves and people may adapt. If the root direction is sound, following can achieve success.
Original Chinese text
隨，元亨，利貞，無咎。
The six lines
- 初九 · Line 1 — The office has change. Steadfastness brings good fortune. Going out to associate brings achievement.
Original Chinese
官有渝，貞吉。出門交有功。
- 六二 · Line 2 — Bind to the small child; lose the mature person.
Original Chinese
系小子，失丈夫。
- 六三 · Line 3 — Bind to the mature person; lose the small child. Following brings what is sought; it is favourable to remain steadfast.
Original Chinese
系丈夫，失小子。隨有求得，利居貞。
- 九四 · Line 4 — Following brings gain; steadfastness may be ominous. With sincerity on the way and clarity, what blame is there?
Original Chinese
隨有獲，貞凶。有孚在道，以明，何咎？
- 九五 · Line 5 — Trust in what is good. Good fortune.
Original Chinese
孚于嘉，吉。
- 上六 · Line 6 — Bind it, then follow it with a cord. The king offers at the western mountain.
Original Chinese
拘系之，乃從維之。王用亨于西山。