[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":17},["ShallowReactive",2],{"metaeast_iching64_en-iching-04":3},{"slug":4,"archived":5,"date_created":6,"date_updated":7,"title":8,"content1":9,"content2":10,"seotitle":11,"seodescription":12,"htmlcode":13,"content0":14,"number":15,"seo_keywords":16,"og_title":8,"og_description":12},"iching-04",false,"2026-08-11T00:56:59.957Z","2026-07-04T14:35:03.000Z","Zhouyi I Ching Hexagram 4: Hexagram of Youthful Folly, Mountain over Water, Gen above Kan below","\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Detailed explanation of the fourth Zhouyi hexagram\n \u003Cbr>Original text of the Hexagram of Youthful Folly\n \u003Cbr>Youthful Folly: Success. It is not I who seek the youthful fool; the youthful fool seeks me. At the first divination I inform him; if he asks repeatedly and disrespectfully, I do not inform him. Favorable to steadfastness.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: A spring emerges below the mountain—Youthful Folly. The noble person models himself on its decisive flow to cultivate virtue.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation in plain language\n \u003Cbr>The Hexagram of Youthful Folly: Success. It is not I who seek the childish and foolish person; the childish and foolish person seeks me. At the first divination, the spirits gave him an answer. If he divines again and again with disrespect, the spirits will not answer him. Nevertheless, asking about what is right remains auspicious.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: The upper trigram is Gen, symbolizing a mountain; the lower trigram is Kan, symbolizing a spring. A spring beneath a mountain gushes forth—this is the image of Youthful Folly. The noble person observes this image, follows the example of the mountain spring that presses forward, and cultivates virtue through decisive and steadfast action.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation from The Heavenly Mechanism of Divining Changes\n \u003Cbr>The Hexagram of Youthful Folly, Gen above Kan below, is the fourth-generation hexagram of the Li Palace. Youthful Folly means obscurity and ignorance; it governs turning back and forth, doubt and inability to advance, as well as worries and mistakes. It is an inauspicious hexagram.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes\n \u003Cbr>Wisdom has not opened; ignorance and obstruction prevail. Hesitation and indecision; a lack of resolve.\n \u003Cbr>Those who obtain this hexagram have wisdom like that of a child, unable to distinguish right from wrong and having lost direction. If they follow the teachings of worthy teachers and good friends and awaken their intelligence, they will prosper.\n \u003Cbr>Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning\n \u003Cbr>Fortune: Accumulate virtue, then emerge to serve the world.\n \u003Cbr>Wealth: In the mining business, decisiveness is auspicious.\n \u003Cbr>Home: A noble person dwelling there is auspicious; the beginning of a marriage.\n \u003Cbr>Health: Drive away pathogenic heat to preserve safety.\n \u003Cbr>Traditional interpretation of the hexagram\n \u003Cbr>This is a differing hexagram, with Kan below and Gen above, doubled together. Gen is the image of a mountain, symbolizing stopping; Kan is the image of water, symbolizing danger. The form of the hexagram is danger beneath a mountain, yet one still does not stop advancing—this is ignorance, hence the name Youthful Folly. But because one grasps the opportunity and acts in accordance with the time, the hexagram also has the image of enlightenment and free passage.\n \u003Cbr>Great Image: Youthful Folly is being in darkness with nothing visible; therefore one should “enlighten the ignorant.”\n \u003Cbr>Fortune: At first you are confused and do not know the direction. Be patient and wait for the right opportunity before acting. Listen more to others’ opinions in all matters, and fortune will open up.\n \u003Cbr>Career: At the beginning, the work is chaotic and disorganized, with crises everywhere. Brave and steadfast action can reverse the situation, but one must accept strict education and cultivate this spirit of striving. Be firmly grounded; the greatest taboo is aiming too high without a foundation, or you will become isolated and unsupported.\n \u003Cbr>Business: Be extremely cautious and do not seek quick success or immediate profit. In particular, establish high commercial ethics and win through good reputation and stronger competitiveness.\n \u003Cbr>Seeking a reputation: You must receive a good basic education and cultivate your character. If your motives are pure, you can achieve your goal.\n \u003Cbr>Marriage and love: Pay attention to examining the other person’s character; do not use money as bait. Husband and wife must be mutually tolerant and understanding.\n \u003Cbr>Decision: At times, you may fall into a state of confusion and difficulty. Combined with timidity and indecisiveness, this often leads to mistakes. If you can accept the teachings of your elders—even severe tests—cast aside doubts and fears, and wait for the right moment, everything will surely proceed smoothly.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>The philosophical meaning of the fourth hexagram \n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>The Hexagram of Youthful Folly expresses the wisdom of education and awakening. Gen is the mountain, Kan is the spring, and a spring emerges below the mountain. When a spring first flows from a mountain, it will gradually gather into rivers, just as childish ignorance gradually awakens. Yet there is danger beneath the mountain; because one stops before danger, there is obscurity and lack of understanding. In the early stage of development, things are inevitably obscure, so education is the urgent priority. Nurturing students’ pure and innocent qualities is the way to govern Youthful Folly.\n \u003Cbr>The Hexagram of Youthful Folly consists of two differing trigrams, with Kan below and Gen above. Gen is the image of a mountain, symbolizing stopping; Kan is the image of water, symbolizing danger. The form is danger beneath a mountain, yet one still does not stop advancing—this is ignorance, hence Youthful Folly. But because one grasps the opportunity and acts in accordance with the time, it also has the image of enlightenment and free passage.\n \u003Cbr>The Hexagram of Youthful Folly is the second hexagram after the Hexagram of Initial Difficulty, the hexagram of beginning and birth. The Sequence says: “When things are born, they are necessarily youthful and ignorant; therefore Youthful Folly follows. Youthful Folly means childish immaturity.” The immature stage of things is like a state of obscurity before awakening; in people, it refers to youthful folly.\n \u003Cbr>The Image explains the Hexagram of Youthful Folly as follows: “A spring emerges below the mountain—Youthful Folly. The noble person uses decisive action to cultivate virtue.”","Detailed explanation of the line of Nine in the first place of the fourth Zhouyi hexagram\n \u003Cbr>Initial Six line statement\n \u003Cbr>Six in the first place: Initiating enlightenment. It is favorable to use punishment as a model and to remove shackles. Going forward brings humiliation.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: It is favorable to punish criminals, thereby rectifying the law.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation in plain language\n \u003Cbr>Six in the first place: Initiating enlightenment and educating students to develop productive abilities; the teacher uses a punished person as an example and removes the prisoner’s handcuffs and fetters. Going forward brings difficulty.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: It is favorable to punish criminals, for this can be used to uphold and organize the law.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes\n \u003Cbr>Inauspicious: Those who obtain this line will face many lawsuits, discord with relatives and friends, and much conflict, though they will eventually escape it. Officials may serve in education or in the judicial system.\n \u003Cbr>Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning\n \u003Cbr>Fortune: Seeking honor instead brings humiliation; restrain yourself.\n \u003Cbr>Wealth: Avoid initiating lawsuits; stop once justice is on your side.\n \u003Cbr>Home: Manage the household cautiously; the marriage may be called off.\n \u003Cbr>Health: There may be an external injury.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Initial Six changing hexagram\n \u003Cbr>\u003Cimg src='\"https:\u002F\u002Fmypublicforweb.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\u002Finching\u002F64_4_1.png'\" alt='\"周易第4卦的其中之一变卦卦的卦图'\" >\n \u003Cbr>When Six in the first place changes, it becomes Hexagram 41 of the Zhouyi: Mountain over Lake, Decrease. This is a differing hexagram, with Dui below and Gen above, doubled together. Gen is mountain; Dui is lake. The mountain is above and the lake below; the great lake erodes the mountain’s base. Decrease and increase alternate: within decrease there is increase, and within increase there is decrease. The relationship must be treated with great care. Decreasing the lower to benefit the upper, as in governing a state, can damage the foundations if excessive. Decrease when decrease is called for, but measure your strength and keep to moderation. A small decrease producing increase is best.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Philosophical meaning of the First Nine line \n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>The first line of the Hexagram of Youthful Folly, line statement: Six in the first place: Initiating enlightenment; it is favorable to use punishment as a model and to remove shackles. Going forward brings humiliation.\n \u003Cbr>Six in the first place: Initiating enlightenment; it is favorable to use punishment as a model and to remove shackles. Going forward brings humiliation. Interpretation of the line statement\n \u003Cbr>Punished person: “Punishment” is an ancient form of “model,” meaning the mold used to make pottery or the sand casting mold used to cast vessels in ancient times. Here “punishment” can be understood as setting standards and forcibly guiding people toward correctness—a form of education. Shackles: wooden instruments of punishment. “Remove” is synonymous with “take off.”\n \u003Cbr>The line statement means: Enlighten the ignorant; it is appropriate to publicize the rules on punishment to regulate people’s conduct, thereby educating them not to commit illegal or criminal acts and freeing them from the suffering of shackles. If someone does not concentrate on learning these things and acts anyway, they will later fall into difficulty.\n \u003Cbr>From the hexagram image, Six in the first place is a yielding line occupying a firm position, so it is improperly placed. It is also not central, so it lacks the mean. It acts rashly, does not follow the proper path, and charges about like an unreasonable child. Six in the first place receives Nine in the second place above it; Nine in the second place resembles a teacher or elder who strictly disciplines it and administers timely punishment, leading it onto the right path. When it grows up, it will observe the law and avoid imprisonment. Otherwise, if left unchecked, it will make a grave mistake later and regret it too late.\n \u003Cbr>This line teaches one method of educating people: the role of example, but specifically the opposite kind of example—the effect of a bad example, used to warn people. For instance, to teach people not to break the law, explain the laws and regulations to them and let them see the fate of those who break the law and commit crimes, saying: “If you break the law, you will end up like them, wearing handcuffs and fetters.” In this way, people are urged to observe discipline and obey the law.\n \u003Cbr>Detailed explanation of the line of Nine in the second place of the fourth Zhouyi hexagram\n \u003Cbr>Statement of the Second Nine line\n \u003Cbr>Nine in the second place: Encompassing Youthful Folly—auspicious. Taking a wife—auspicious. The son can establish the household.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: The son can establish the household because firmness and yielding meet.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation in plain language\n \u003Cbr>Nine in the second place: Education that embraces and tolerates is an auspicious sign. If divination gives this line, marrying and welcoming a wife is auspicious. A man and woman can be matched and establish a household.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: A man and woman can establish a household because Nine in the second place and Six in the third place are close, representing the meeting of firmness and yielding, Yin and Yang.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes\n \u003Cbr>Auspicious: Those who obtain this line will enjoy harmonious relationships and success in all matters. There may be marriage or children, wealth and blessings. Officials will be able to retain their positions.\n \u003Cbr>Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning\n \u003Cbr>Fortune: Wealth and blessings; the son can inherit the enterprise.\n \u003Cbr>Wealth: Receive wealth broadly and sell goods to distant places.\n \u003Cbr>Home: A virtuous wife and filial children can revive the family enterprise.\n \u003Cbr>Health: Gentle flexibility exercises.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Transformation of the Second Nine line\n \u003Cbr>\u003Cimg src='\"https:\u002F\u002Fmypublicforweb.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\u002Finching\u002F64_4_2.png'\" alt='\"周易第4卦的其中之一变卦卦的卦图'\" >\n \u003Cbr>When Nine in the second place changes, it becomes Hexagram 23 of the Zhouyi: Mountain over Earth, Stripping Away. This is a differing hexagram, with Kun below and Gen above, doubled together. Five yielding lines are below and one firm line is above; Yin flourishes while Yang stands alone. A high mountain rests upon the earth. Both are images of stripping away, hence “Stripping Away.” In this hexagram Yin is strong and Yang weak, symbolizing petty people gaining power while noble people are in hardship and their undertakings deteriorate.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Detailed explanation of the line of Nine in the third place of the fourth Zhouyi hexagram\n \u003Cbr>Six in the third place line statement\n \u003Cbr>Six in the third place: Do not take this woman as a wife. She sees a wealthy man and loses her chastity. Nothing is favorable.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: Do not take this woman as a wife; her conduct does not accord with the proper way.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation in plain language\n \u003Cbr>Six in the third place: Do not seize a woman and make her your wife. She will encounter resistance from an armed man and lose her life; nothing is gained.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: One cannot take the woman as a wife. Six in the third place is above Nine in the second place, an image of the yielding riding upon the firm, symbolizing a woman oppressing a man; this is rebellious and contrary to proper order.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes\n \u003Cbr>Inauspicious: Those who obtain this line will become involved in disputes; at a minor level they lose money, at a major level they suffer bodily harm. Officials may bring humiliation upon themselves through greed.\n \u003Cbr>Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning\n \u003Cbr>Fortune: Seeing wealth and forgetting righteousness; reputation collapses.\n \u003Cbr>Wealth: A minor matter loses money; a major matter causes bodily harm.\n \u003Cbr>Home: A strong wife and weak husband may cause unrest; marriage is not advised.\n \u003Cbr>Health: Be careful about your diet.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Six in the third place changing hexagram\n \u003Cbr>\u003Cimg src='\"https:\u002F\u002Fmypublicforweb.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\u002Finching\u002F64_4_3.png'\" alt='\"周易第4卦的其中之一变卦卦的卦图'\" >\n \u003Cbr>When Six in the third place changes, it becomes Hexagram 18 of the Zhouyi: Mountain over Wind, Decay. This is a differing hexagram, and it is the complementary reverse of Following. The original meaning of Decay is “affair,” extended to mean many affairs and disorder. When a vessel remains unused for a long time and breeds worms, it is called “decay.” This symbolizes a world long at peace becoming complacent and corrupt; it must be renewed and created, governed and rectified, so that crisis can be rescued from and undertakings revived.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>The philosophical meaning of the line of Nine in the third place \n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Six in the third place: Do not take a woman as a wife. She sees a wealthy man and loses her chastity. Nothing is favorable. Interpretation of the line statement\n \u003Cbr>“Take” means marry. “Does not possess her person” means loses her chastity.\n \u003Cbr>The line statement means: Do not marry such a woman. When she sees a wealthy man, she will lose her chastity. Marrying her brings no benefit whatsoever.\n \u003Cbr>From the hexagram image, Six in the third place is a yielding line in a firm position, so it is improperly placed, and it is not central. Its verdict is “nothing is favorable,” meaning no benefit whatsoever. Marrying a money-worshipping woman who loses herself when she meets a rich man harms rather than benefits a marriage. A wife strongly influences children; an unvirtuous wife will throw the family into disorder, adversely affecting the children’s growth. Therefore, “nothing is favorable.”\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: “Do not take this woman as a wife”; her conduct does not accord with the proper way. In other words, “do not marry this woman” mainly refers to her conduct not conforming to propriety, meaning she has not received good introductory education. When choosing a wife, therefore, pay attention to choosing a woman who has received education or good family training.\n \u003Cbr>Those who obtain this hexagram, if they are teachers or parents involved in education, should pay attention to the issue of early romantic relationships among their students or children.\n \u003Cbr>Detailed explanation of the line of Nine in the fourth place of the fourth Zhouyi hexagram\n \u003Cbr>Six in the fourth place line statement\n \u003Cbr>Line six, fourth place: An immature person in difficulty; regretful.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: The humiliation of being trapped in Youthful Folly comes from being alone and far from what is real.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation in plain language\n \u003Cbr>Six in the fourth place: Escaping the confinement of Youthful Folly—too bad.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: One is troubled by ignorance and folly because one lives apart from the group, far from ordinary life.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes\n \u003Cbr>Inauspicious: Those who obtain this line will find human relationships cold and their work obstructed. Remaining still brings no disaster; moving brings loss. Officials find promotion difficult because no one appreciates them.\n \u003Cbr>Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning\n \u003Cbr>Fortune: Distant water cannot put out a nearby fire; it is of no help.\n \u003Cbr>Wealth: Lacking capital, poverty is unavoidable.\n \u003Cbr>Home: Located in a remote area, life is difficult.\n \u003Cbr>Health: Weak constitution and conditions of internal cold.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Six in the fourth place changing hexagram\n \u003Cbr>\u003Cimg src='\"https:\u002F\u002Fmypublicforweb.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\u002Finching\u002F64_4_4.png'\" alt='\"周易第4卦的其中之一变卦卦的卦图'\" >\n \u003Cbr>When Six in the fourth place changes, it becomes Hexagram 64 of the Zhouyi: Fire over Water, Not Yet Fulfilled. This is a differing hexagram, with Kan below and Li above, doubled together. Li is fire and Kan is water. Fire is above and water below; the fire’s force overwhelms the water, so the great work of quelling the fire is not complete, hence Not Yet Fulfilled. The Zhouyi begins with Qian and Kun and ends with Already Fulfilled and Not Yet Fulfilled, fully reflecting the idea of development through change.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Philosophical meaning of the Nine in the fourth place line \n \u003Cbr> \n \u003Cbr>The fourth line of the Hexagram of Youthful Folly, line statement: Six in the fourth place: Youthful Folly in distress—humiliation.\n \u003Cbr>Six in the fourth place: Youthful Folly in distress—humiliation. Interpretation of the line statement\n \u003Cbr>The line statement means: Being trapped in ignorance and obscurity brings difficulty.\n \u003Cbr>Life guidance from the fourth line of the Hexagram of Initial Difficulty\n \u003Cbr>The Hexagram of Inexperience encompasses two types of people: those who enlighten others and those who are ignorant. The yang lines represent the enlighteners, while the yin lines represent the ignorant. Consider the Six in the fourth place. Although it is a yin line in a yielding place and thus occupies its proper position, look at what lies above and below it: all are yin lines. It is far from the two yang lines, Nine in the second place and Nine at the top, trapped in ignorance, with no one to whom it can appeal and unable to act; therefore, it falls into difficulty. The lines above and below the fourth line are all yin, and like forces repel one another. Moreover, it is beneath the Gen Trigram, as if pressed down by a mountain, so naturally it cannot escape the fate of being trapped. In the Hexagram of Inexperience, yin lines represent ignorance. The Six in the fourth place is trapped by its own kind and cannot unite or respond with a yang line, so it is trapped. However, because the Six in the fourth place occupies its proper position, there will be no danger, only some worry and shame.\n \u003Cbr>Detailed explanation of the line of Nine in the fifth place of the fourth Zhouyi hexagram\n \u003Cbr>Six in the fifth place line statement\n \u003Cbr>Six in the fifth place: Childlike Youthful Folly—auspicious.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: The auspiciousness of childlike Youthful Folly comes from yielding and following.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation in plain language\n \u003Cbr>Six in the fifth place: Educating young children—auspicious.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: The ignorant and immature person is fortunate because they are yielding and obedient.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes\n \u003Cbr>Auspicious: Those who rely on noble people and good teachers will find all matters going smoothly and their plans succeeding.\n \u003Cbr>Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning\n \u003Cbr>Fortune: Fame and achievement have not yet been attained; finding a good teacher is auspicious.\n \u003Cbr>Wealth: You cannot act independently and must rely on others to manage the business.\n \u003Cbr>Home: An engagement is arranged in childhood.\n \u003Cbr>Health: Exercise under someone else’s guidance.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Six in the fifth place changing hexagram\n \u003Cbr>\u003Cimg src='\"https:\u002F\u002Fmypublicforweb.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\u002Finching\u002F64_4_5.png'\" alt='\"周易第4卦的其中之一变卦卦的卦图'\" >\n \u003Cbr>When Six in the fifth place changes, it becomes Hexagram 59 of the Zhouyi: Wind over Water, Dispersion. This is a differing hexagram, with Kan below and Xun above, doubled together. The wind moves over the water, pushing waves and spreading in all directions. Dispersion means the flowing and dispersing of water. It symbolizes an organization and the people’s hearts becoming scattered; positive means and methods must be used to overcome the defects, rescue the dispersion, and turn danger into safety.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Philosophical meaning of the Nine in the fifth place line \n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Interpretation of the line statement\n \u003Cbr>This line statement means: Enlightening through education should begin early; address the shortcomings of children while they are still ignorant and act before the problem develops. Do not wait until the child’s problems are fully exposed before educating them; prevent trouble before it arises and provide enlightenment education in advance.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: “It is beneficial to defend against bandits”; this means that those above and below are in accord. In other words, when it comes to educating children, basic education should begin early. It should address the shortcomings of young children and first correct them before they harm others. A child is like a blank sheet of paper; if you do not give it good colors, it can easily be stained by other colors. If a child is poorly educated, ideas resembling those of bandits may influence and corrupt the child, turning them into someone who harms society like a bandit. If properly educated and taught righteous ideas, the child may become a good person who resists banditry and benefits society.\n \u003Cbr> \n \u003Cbr>Detailed explanation of the top ninth line of Hexagram 4 of the Zhouyi\n \u003Cbr>Statement of the Top Nine line\n \u003Cbr>Top ninth line: Strike the ignorant. It is not beneficial to become a bandit; it is beneficial to defend against bandits.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: It is beneficial to defend against bandits; those above and below are in accord.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation in plain language\n \u003Cbr>Top ninth line: Strike the ignorant; one should not act as a bandit, but should resist bandits.\n \u003Cbr>The Image Commentary says: It is beneficial to defend against thieves and bandits because the top ninth yang line occupies the head of the hexagram, showing that those below submit and give their allegiance. Defense against bandits gains everyone’s support and must therefore succeed.\n \u003Cbr>Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes\n \u003Cbr>Neutral: Those who obtain this line should preserve the old ways and carefully guard against disputes and disturbances from bandits and thieves. An official may hold the office of judicial commissioner.\n \u003Cbr>Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning\n \u003Cbr>Timing: Preserve your position rather than attack; live harmoniously with others.\n \u003Cbr>Finances: Take the smooth and proper course; buying and selling will be harmonious.\n \u003Cbr>Home: A wife’s virtue lies in compliance; the household will be peaceful.\n \u003Cbr>Health: Care and recuperation are advisable.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Transformation of the Top Nine line\n \u003Cbr>\u003Cimg src='\"https:\u002F\u002Fmypublicforweb.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\u002Finching\u002F64_4_6.png'\" alt='\"周易第4卦的其中之一变卦卦的卦图'\" >\n \u003Cbr>When the top ninth line changes, it becomes Hexagram 7 of the Zhouyi: Earth over Water, The Army. This is a complementary hexagram (Kan below, Kun above) doubled. “The Army” refers to troops. Kan is water and danger; Kun is earth and compliance, symbolizing soldiers hidden among farmers. Weapons are ominous and war is dangerous; using troops is something a sage does only as a last resort. Yet it can resolve conflicts smoothly because it follows the situation, has a righteous cause, and therefore can transform danger into good fortune.\n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>Philosophical meaning of the Upper Nine line \n \u003Cbr>\n \u003Cbr>The sixth line of the Meng hexagram; line statement: Top ninth: Strike the ignorant. It is not beneficial to become a bandit; it is beneficial to defend against bandits.\n \u003Cbr>Top ninth: Strike the ignorant. It is not beneficial to become a bandit; it is beneficial to defend against bandits. Explanation of the line statement\n \u003Cbr>This line statement means: Enlightening through education should begin early; address the shortcomings of children while they are still ignorant and act before the problem develops. Do not wait until the child’s problems are fully exposed before educating them; prevent trouble before it arises and provide enlightenment education in advance.\n \u003Cbr>The Image says: “It is beneficial to defend against bandits”; this means that those above and below are in accord. In other words, when it comes to educating children, basic education should begin early. It should address the shortcomings of young children and first correct them before they harm others. A child is like a blank sheet of paper; if you do not give it good colors, it can easily be stained by other colors. If a child is poorly educated, ideas resembling those of bandits may influence and corrupt the child, turning them into someone who harms society like a bandit. If properly educated and taught righteous ideas, the child may become a good person who resists banditry and benefits society.","Zhouyi, I Ching, Hexagram 4, Meng Hexagram, Mountain over Water, Gen above Kan below — detailed explanation of the hexagram judgment — Eastern Esotericism Library","Detailed explanation of Hexagram 4, the Meng hexagram of the Zhouyi and I Ching (Mountain over Water, Gen above Kan below): the original judgment and plain-language translation, auspicious and inauspicious analysis of each line statement, and interpretations of career, relationships, and fortune.","䷃","\u003Cp>Youthful Folly: Success. It is not I who seek the youthful fool; the youthful fool seeks me. At the first divination I inform him; if he asks repeatedly and disrespectfully, I do not inform him. Favorable to steadfastness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tuan Commentary says: Youthful Folly: danger below the mountain; danger that stops one is Youthful Folly. Youthful Folly is successful because action accords with the time and the mean. It is not I who seek the youthful fool; the youthful fool seeks me—their aspirations respond to each other. At the first divination I inform him because of firm central correctness. Asking repeatedly and disrespectfully means that he treats Youthful Folly with contempt. Nourishing what is correct through Youthful Folly is the work of the sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Image says: A spring emerges below the mountain—Youthful Folly. The noble person models himself on its decisive flow to cultivate virtue.\u003C\u002Fp>",4,"Zhouyi, I Ching, Hexagram 4, Meng hexagram, the 64 hexagrams, hexagram judgment, line statements, plain-language detailed explanation",1787044933146]