Previous / Contents / HEX TABLE / Next42. Yi [Increasing]
Thwan, or Overall Judgment (Attributed to King Wan)Yi indicates that (in the state which it denotes) there will be advantage in every movement which shall be undertaken, that it will be advantageous (even) to cross the great stream. [Whincup] Increase. [Christensen] 42 - 益 Increase [Pearson] (yì) Increase [Redmond] 42. 益 Yi Advantage [Legge] Yi has the opposite meaning to Sun, and is the symbol of addition or increasing. What king Wan had in his mind, in connexion with the hexagram, was a ruler or a government operating so as to dispense benefits to, and increase the resources of all the people. Two indications are evident in the lines;—the strong line in the ruler's seat, or the fifth line, and the weak line in the correlative place of 2. Whether there be other indications in the figure or its component trigrams will be considered in dealing with the Appendixes. The writer might well say, on general grounds, of the ruler whom he had in mind, that he would be successful in his enterprises and overcome the greatest difficulties. Comments on the Thwan1. In Yi we see the upper (trigram) diminished, and the lower added to. The satisfaction of the people (in consequence of this) is without limit. What descends from above reaches to all below, so great and brilliant is the course (of its operation). 2. That 'there will be advantage in every movement which shall be undertaken' appears from the central and correct (positions of the second and fifth lines), and the (general) blessing (the dispensing of which they imply). That 'it will be advantageous (even) to cross the great stream' appears from the action of wood (shown in the figure). 3. Yi is made up of (the trigrams expressive of) movement and docility, (through which) there is daily advancement to an unlimited extent. We have (also) in it heaven dispensing and earth producing, leading to an increase without restriction of place. Everything in the method of this increase proceeds according to the requirements of the time. [Legge] 1. The process of formation of the hexagrams here is the reverse of that in the preceding hexagram; and is open to the remarks that I have made on that. Of course the people are full of complacency and pleasure in the labours of their ruler for their good. 2. The mention of 'the action of wood' has reference to the upper trigram Sun, which is the symbol both of wind and wood. From wood boats and ships are made, on which the great stream may be crossed. In three hexagrams, this, 59, and 61, of which Sun is a part, we find mention made of crossing the great stream. It is generally said that the lower trigram Kan also symbolises wood; but that is obtained by a roundabout process. Kan occupies the place of the east in Wan's arrangement of the trigrams; but the east symbolises spring, when the growth of vegetation begins; and therefore Kan may symbolise wood! It was stated [in Introduction, Chapter 4, Par. 4.4], that the doctrine of 'the five elements' does not appear in the Yi. Khang-zze takes wood ( 3. The words 'heaven dispensing and earth producing' are based on the fancied genesis of the figure from Khien and Khwan ( One rhyme runs through and connects these three paragraphs thus:— 'Yi spoils the high, gives to the low; Great Symbolism(The trigram representing) wind and that for thunder form Yi. The superior man, in accordance with this, when he sees what is good, moves towards it; and when he sees his errors, he turns from them. [Legge] The Symbolism here is different from what we gather from the ['Comments on the Thwan']. Sun no longer symbolises wood, but, as it more commonly does, wind. Thunder and wind, it is supposed, increase each the other; and their combination gives the idea of increase. Then the application, good in itself, must be treated very nicely, as it is by the Khang-hsi editors, in order to make out any connexion between it and the Symbolism. Line Statements (Attributed to the Duke of Kau)1. The first NINE, undivided, shows that it will be advantageous for its subject in his position to make a great movement. If it be greatly fortunate, no blame will be imputed to him. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 41.1 [Whincup] [Christensen] 初 九﹕ 利 用 為 大 作 元 吉 无 咎 Beginning 9: It will be beneficial to carry out a great job; this is the origin of good things and is no mistake. [Pearson] Nine in the first place: It is effective to do a great deed. Great good fortune; no blame. [Redmond] 42.1 Beneficial to act in major undertakings. Begins auspiciously, nothing blameworthy. 初九利用為大作. 元吉, 无咎. [Smaller Symbolism] 1. 'If the movement be greatly fortunate, no blame will be imputed to him:'—though it is not for one in so low a position to have to do with great affairs. [Legge] Line 1 is strong, but its low position might seem to debar its subject from any great enterprise. Favoured as he is, however, according to the general idea of the hexagram, and specially responding to the proper correlate in 4, it is natural that he should make a movement; and great success will make his rashness be forgotten. [Legge: Smaller Symbolism] Paragraph 1. 'One in a low position should not move in great affairs;'—not a son, it is said, while his father is alive; nor a minister, while his ruler governs; nor a member of an official department, while its head directs its affairs. If such a one do initiate such an affair, only great success will excuse his rashness. 2. The second SIX, divided, shows parties adding to the stores of its subject ten pairs of tortoise shells whose oracles cannot be opposed. Let him persevere in being firm and correct, and there will be good fortune. Let the king, (having the virtues thus distinguished), employ them in presenting his offerings to God, and there will be good fortune. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 41.2 [Whincup] [Christensen] 六 二﹕ 或 益 之 十 朋 之 龜 弗 克 違 永 貞 吉 王 用 享 于 帝 吉 Second 6: Someone enriches you with a turtle shell worth ten cowrie strings and you can’t refuse. This [kind of action] is always correct and good. It is good [in just the same way as when] the king makes a sacrifice to God. [Pearson] Six in the second place: Some success from it: ten double strings of turtle shells. You cannot refuse. The persistence of water brings good fortune. The ruler offers incense to God. Good fortune. [Redmond] 42.2 Perhaps advantageous—ten cowry shells for a tortoise. Cannot overcome or avoid. Long-lasting auspicious divination. The king uses for an offering to Di (the high god), auspicious. 六二或益之十朋之龜. 弗克違. 永貞吉. 王用享于帝,吉. [Smaller Symbolism] 2. 'Parties add to his stores:'—they come from beyond (his immediate circle) to do so. [Legge] With paragraph 2 compare paragraph 5 of the preceding hexagram. Line 2 is weak, but in the centre, and is the correlate of 5. Friends give its subject the valuable gifts mentioned; 'that is,' says Kwo Yung (Sung dynasty), 'men benefit him; the oracles of the divination are in his favour,—spirits, that is, benefit him; and finally, when the king sacrifices to God, He accepts. Heaven confers benefit from above.' [Legge: Smaller Symbolism] Paragraph 2. Line 5 is the proper correlate of 2; and its subject will be among the contributing parties. But others 'beyond' will be won to take part with him. 3. The third SIX, divided, shows increase given to its subject by means of what is evil, so that he shall (be led to good), and be without blame. Let him be sincere and pursue the path of the Mean, (so shall he secure the recognition of the ruler, like) an officer who announces himself to his prince by the symbol of his rank. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 41.3 [Whincup] [Christensen] 六 三﹕ 益 之 用 凶 事 无 咎 有 孚 中 行 告 公 用 圭 Third 6: Enriched by unfortunate affairs, but confident in having done nothing wrong, you go to inform the duke with your honorary jade tablet. [Pearson] Six in the third place: Succeeding at it, using service without blame. With a return to the middle ranks, reporting to the duke using a jade slate. [Redmond] 42.3 Advantageously used for an ominous affair. Nothing blameworthy. Hold the captives in the center while marching. Report to the duke using a jade tablet. 六三益之用凶事. 无咎. 有孚中行. 告公用圭. [Smaller Symbolism] 3. 'Increase is given by means of what is evil and difficult:'—as he has in himself (the qualities called forth). [Legge] Line 3 is weak, neither central, nor in its correct position. It would seem therefore that its subject should have no increase given to him. But it is the time for giving increase, and the idea of his receiving it by means of evil things is put into the line. That such things serve for reproof and correction is well known to Chinese moralists. But the paragraph goes on also to caution and admonish. [Legge: Smaller Symbolism] Paragraph 3. There is a soul of good even in men who seem only evil; and adversity may quicken it. 4. The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject pursuing the due course. His advice to his prince is followed. He can with advantage be relied on in such a movement as that of removing the capital. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 41.4 [Whincup] [Christensen] 六 四﹕ 中 行 告 公 從 利 用 為 依 遷 國 Fourth 6: Going to the middle [of the court] informing the duke you want to serve him; [he will] benefit you by employing you for relocating the state. [Pearson] Six in the fourth place: The middle ranks report to the duke in support. It is beneficial to have a clan and to move the state. [Redmond] 42.4 March in the center, and report to the duke obediently. Beneficial, serving to move the capital city. 六四中行, 告公從. 利為依遷國. [Smaller Symbolism] 4. 'His advice to his prince is followed:'—his (only) object in it being the increase (of the general good). [Legge] Line 4 is the place for a minister, near to that of the ruler. Its subject is weak, but his place is appropriate, and as he follows the due course, his ruler will listen to him, and he will be a support in the most critical movements. Changing the capital from place to place was frequent in the feudal times of China. That of Shang, which preceded Kau, was changed five times. 5. The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject with sincere heart seeking to benefit (all below). There need be no question about it; the result will be great good fortune. (All below) will with sincere heart acknowledge his goodness. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 41.5 [Whincup] [Christensen] 九 五﹕ 有 孚 惠 心 勿 問 元 吉 有 孚 惠 我 德 Fifth 9: If there is confidence and love in the heart you don’t need to ask [because confidence and love is the very] origin of good. When we have inner confidence and love we are virtuous. [Pearson] Nine in the fifth place: There is sincerity in a humane heart. No questions; great good fortune. There is sincerity and kind treatment of my moral strengths. [Redmond] 42.5 Holding captives, kind-heartedly. Do not put to questioning. Begins auspiciously. Holding captives kindly, shows our power. 九五有孚惠心. 勿問. 元吉. 有孚惠我德. [Smaller Symbolism] 5. '(The ruler) with sincere heart seeks to benefit (all below):'—there need be no question (about the result). '(All below) with sincere heart acknowledge (his goodness):'—he gets what he desires on a great scale. [Legge] Line 5 is strong, in its fitting position, and central. It is the seat of the ruler, who has his proper correlate in 2. Everything good, according to the conditions of the hexagram, therefore, may be said of him;—as is done. 6. In the sixth NINE, undivided, we see one to whose increase none will contribute, while many will seek to assail him. He observes no regular rule in the ordering of his heart. There will be evil. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 41.6 [Whincup] [Christensen] 上 九﹕ 莫 益 之 或 擊 之 立 心 勿 恆 凶 Top 9: If not expanding others will attack. Establishing a cordial relationship and then not make it last long will turn bad. [Pearson] Nine at the top: No one increases it; someone hits it. A heart/ mind in place but inconstant. Misfortune. [Redmond] 42.6 Nothing advantageous, perhaps attacked, be resolute of heart. Do not persist when ominous. 上九莫益之. 或擊之立心. 勿恆凶. [Smaller Symbolism] 6. 'To his increase none will contribute:'—this expresses but half the result. 'Many will seek to assail him:'—they will come from beyond (his immediate circle) to do so. [Legge] Line 6 is also strong; but it should be weak. Occupying the topmost place of the figure, its subject will concentrate his powers in the increase of himself, and not think of benefiting those below him; and the consequence will be as described. [Legge: Smaller Symbolism] Paragraph 6. As in line 2 the attractive power of benevolence is shown, so in line 6 we have the repulsive power of selfishness exhibited. Mark the 'from beyond' in both paragraphs. Previous / Contents / HEX TABLE / Next |
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mu), 'as a misprint for increase (
yi).'
) , the first lines in each changing places. It was the author of this Appendix [Appendix 1, 'Treatise on the Thwan'], probably, who first introduced that absurd notion in connexion with the formation of Sun and Yi.
