蒙 Méng · Inexperience

The judgment

Mang (indicates that in the case which it presupposes) there will be progress and success. I do not (go and) seek the youthful and inexperienced, but he comes and seeks me. When he shows (the sincerity that marks) the first recourse to divination, I instruct him. If he apply a second and third time, that is troublesome; and I do not instruct the troublesome. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.

The image

(The trigram representing) a mountain, and beneath it that for a spring issuing forth form Mang. The superior man, in accordance with this, strives to be resolute in his conduct and nourishes his virtue.

The lines, bottom to top

1. Bottom line, broken

   The first line, divided, (has respect to) the dispelling of ignorance. It will be advantageous to use punishment (for that purpose), and to remove the shackles (from the mind). But going on in that way (of punishment) will give occasion for regret.

2. Second line, solid

   The second line, undivided, (shows its subject) exercising forbearance with the ignorant, in which there will be good fortune; and admitting (even the goodness of) women, which will also be fortunate. (He may be described also as) a son able to (sustain the burden of) his family.

3. Third line, broken

   The third line, divided, (seems to say) that one should not marry a woman whose emblem it might be, for that, when she sees a man of wealth, she will not keep her person from him, and in no wise will advantage come from her.

4. Fourth line, broken

   The fourth line, divided, (shows its subject as if) bound in chains of ignorance. There will be occasion for regret.

5. Fifth line, broken

   The fifth line, divided, shows its subject as a simple lad without experience. There will be good fortune.

6. Top line, solid

   In the topmost line, undivided, we see one smiting the ignorant (youth). But no advantage will come from doing him an injury. Advantage would come from warding off injury from him.