48 · The Well (JǏNG)
The Well is a shared source of nourishment. A town may move while the well's purpose remains, yet muddy water, a leaking jar, or a bucket broken before reaching the rim all defeat that purpose. The six lines progress from neglect and waste through cleaning and repair to water actually drunk and freely shared.
The judgment
The Well: a town may change, but the well does not. It neither loses nor gains; people come and go to it. Water almost reaches the rim but has not yet been drawn out; the jar breaks. Ill fortune.
The well endures as a common resource, but its benefit is real only when water reaches people. A broken vessel at the last moment turns near-completion into failure. Care for the whole chain, including its final delivery.
Original Chinese text
井：改邑不改井，无喪无得，往來井井。汔至亦未繘井。羸其瓶，凶。
The six lines
- 初六 · Line 1 — A muddy well is not drunk from; no birds visit the old well.
Original Chinese
井泥不食，舊井无禽。
- 九二 · Line 2 — Water in the well's hollow flows down to small fish; the earthen jar is worn and leaks.
Original Chinese
井谷射鮒，瓮敝漏。
- 九三 · Line 3 — The well is cleaned yet not drunk from; this saddens my heart. It can be drawn from. If the ruler is discerning, all receive its benefit.
Original Chinese
井渫不食，為我心惻，可用汲，王明，並受其福。
- 六四 · Line 4 — Line the well with masonry; no blame.
Original Chinese
井甃，无咎。
- 九五 · Line 5 — The well is clear; cold spring water is drunk.
Original Chinese
井冽，寒泉食。
- 上六 · Line 6 — The well is ready; do not cover it. With trust, great good fortune.
Original Chinese
井收勿幕，有孚元吉。