The wisdom of I Ching

Chapter 3 The First Hexagram Stem (2)
Maybe jumping out of the abyss; it means that preparations have been completed, advances and retreats are well-founded, even if you move forward, there will be no mistakes or disasters.Long Feiteng ascends to heaven, which means that only great people with talents and virtues can reach this position.A dragon who soars to the limit will regret it, because it is difficult to last long if it is full, and it will cause loss if it is full. "Yongjiu", that is, the use of masculinity, should follow the virtues of practicing heaven, let nature take its course and be flexible, and not be competitive, only with both hardness and softness can it be safe and auspicious.

"Classical Chinese" says: "Yuan" means goodness, "prosperity" means good fortune, "benefit" means harmony of righteousness, and chastity means doing things well.A gentleman's body and benevolence are enough to grow up; a grand meeting is enough to be in harmony with etiquette;A gentleman does these four things, so it is called: Qian, Yuan Henry Zhen.

"Wen Yan Zhuan" is the explanation of "Xiang Zhuan" and "Xiang Zhuan" of the two hexagrams of Qian and Kun. The further deduction and explanation have somewhat different from the original meaning of "Gua Ci" and "Yao Ci".Obviously, this is to elucidate the moral cultivation of personnel and explain "Yi" with Confucian theory.

First analyze the four virtues, that is, the characteristics of heaven. "Yuan" is the root of all things and the first condition for all good deeds. "Heng" is the dissemination and diffusion of the natural intention to create all things, so that all good things gather. "Benefit" is the completion of the natural intention of creating all things, so that all things are in harmony with each other. "Zhen" is the intention of innate creation of all things, pure and persistent, and is the backbone of all things.A gentleman should understand and practice the benevolence of the ultimate good, so that he can lead others; only when all good things can be gathered together, can he be in line with etiquette, that is, reason; only when he can benefit all things, can he be able to bring morality into a harmonious state; Being able to stick to the purity persistently is enough to make everything have a backbone and be invincible.Only a gentleman can practice these four virtues, which is the principle of "dryness, Yuan Henry Zhen".

The above is the first section.In the account of "Zuo Zhuan Nine Years of Duke Xiang", Mu Jiang, a woman from the state of Lu, narrates the four virtues of Sui Gua, which are almost exactly the same as this paragraph.Zhu Xi thought it was an old saying and was quoted by Mu Jiang. Confucius also interpreted Qian Gua according to this old saying.

On the ninth day of the lunar new year, he said: "Don't use Qianlong." What does it mean?

The Master said: "Long virtue is also a recluse. It is not easy to be in the world, not to be famous; there is no boredom in retiring from the world, and there is no way to see what is right. If you are happy, you will do it, and if you are worried, you will go against it. It is true that it cannot be pulled out, and it is also the dragon."

The following explains the meaning of each word in detail.Confucius explained "Don't use Qianlong" and said: "This is a dragon, that is, a person who can do something. He hides his invisible virtues. His will is not changed by the world, and he doesn't fight for fame; he retreats without being depressed, and his ideas are not accepted. If you want to be happy, then implement it; if you are worried that it will be difficult to achieve, then get rid of it; if you have a firm belief and do not waver, this is the virtue of Youlong.”

Ninety-two said: "Seeing the dragon in the field is beneficial to seeing the adults." What does it mean?

The Master said: "Dragon's virtue is right in the middle. Faith in mediocrity, prudence in mediocrity, sincerity in leisure and evil, goodness in the world without cutting down, virtue and virtue." "Yi" said: "Seeing the dragon in the field, benefiting the seeing Your Excellency." Junde also."

"Yong" is used together, meaning daily use and daily use. "Xian" means there is wood in the door, and the original intention is to prevent livestock from escaping.Confucius explained the "Yao Ci" of "Ninth Two" and said: "This is the virtue of the dragon's purity and moderation. Daily speech should be trustworthy, daily behavior should be rigorous, prevent evil thoughts, and be honest in heart. Contribute to the world, not boast, and be honest. The influence of broad virtues. "The appearance of the dragon in the field is conducive to meeting great people." said in "Yi" refers to the virtues of leading figures." Regarding "sincerity", in Confucius's grandson, Zisi's " In Doctrine of the Mean, there are also detailed explanations, which are consistent with the thought of this "Wen Yan Zhuan".

Jiusan said: "A gentleman works all day long, and he is vigilant at night, without blame." What does it mean?The Master said: "A gentleman advances in virtue and cultivates his career. He is loyal and trustworthy, so he develops virtue. Rhetoric establishes his sincerity, so he lives in business. Knowing the ultimate, you can share a few. Knowing the end, you can share righteousness. Therefore, If you are in a superior position, you will not be arrogant, and if you are in a subordinate position, you will not be worried. Therefore, if you work hard, you will be vigilant because of the time, even if you are in danger, you will not be blamed."

Confucius explained: The "Yao Ci" of "Jiu San" said: "A gentleman cultivates morality and practice, and emphasizes loyalty and trustworthiness, in order to improve moral character. Modification of words should be based on honesty, in order to establish a career. Knowing the time comes, go all out, and only then Be able to seize the opportunity. Know when to terminate. Only by decisively terminating can you maintain a moral sense. Therefore, when you are in a leadership position, you will not be proud; Knowing how to be vigilant, even in a dangerous state, there will be no mistakes and disasters."

Ninety-four said: "If you jump into the abyss, there is no blame." What does it mean?The Master said: "Up and down are impermanent, it's not evil. Advance and retreat are impermanent, it's not out of the ordinary.

A gentleman pursues virtue and cultivates his career.If you want to be timely, there is no blame. "Confucius explained the "Nine Fourth" line and said: "Either in the upper position or in the lower position, it is not always the same, but it is not for evil."Either advance or retreat, there is no definite rule, but you cannot separate yourself from the masses.You want to study morality.It is to seize the opportunity, so there will be no mistakes and disasters.”

According to Confucius' explanation, the "lower hexagram" is based on morality and studies, while the "upper hexagram" is based on time and status.

Ninth Five said: "The flying dragon is in the sky, and it is beneficial to see the adults." What does it mean?

The Master said: "The same sound corresponds to the same, and the same gas seeks each other; when the water flows wet, the fire becomes dry; the cloud follows the dragon, and the wind follows the tiger. The sage works, and all things can be seen. Those who are based on the sky will kiss each other, and those who are based on the earth will kiss each other. From its kind."

Confucius explained the "Yao Ci" of the "Ninth Five-Year Plan": "The same tone resonates; the same breath attracts each other; water flows to low-humid places, fire burns to dry places, clouds follow dragons, and winds follow tigers. The actions of sages, It makes all things react naturally, and the true feelings can be revealed; therefore, taking the sky as the foundation, developing upward, and taking the earth as the foundation, taking root downward, this is the natural law of the mutual aggregation of all things according to their categories."

This section is a very famous article.Based on the interaction between things and things, it is extended to "sages make, and everything is seen", and the conclusion of "each according to its kind" is obtained.The ancient emperors who interpreted "flying dragons in the sky, benefiting adults" are called "Nine Five Supremes".It is symbolized by a dragon and compared to a saint, which is derived from "the saint works, and everything is seen".For this explanation, Sima Qian borrowed the phrase "the work of a sage, and all things are seen" in the "Biography of Boyi" in "Historical Records", and extended it to explain that life and fortune for adults depend entirely on chance. Follow Confucius and gain fame.Although this is what Sima Qian said because of his experience, it can also be said to be another interpretation of "each according to his kind".

Shangjiu said: "Kanglong has regrets." What do you mean?

The Master said: "Great but no position, high but no people, sages are below but have no assistants, so there is regret when you move."

Confucius explained the "Yao Ci" of "Shangjiu" and said: "Although he is noble, he has lost his status in essence. Because he is too noble, he has been separated from the people; although he has wise subordinates, he cannot get their assistance; Therefore, in this state, any action will inevitably lead to regret."

The above is the second section of "Wen Yan Zhuan", which is entirely based on the principles of human affairs, moral cultivation, and the principles of life, to deduce and explain the meaning of "Zhuan Zhuan".

"Don't use Qianlong", Xiaye, "Seeing the dragon in the field", Shishe also. "Working all day long" means doing things. "Or jump in the abyss", self-test. "The flying dragon is in the sky", Shangzhi also. "Kanglong has regrets", the disaster of poverty.Qianyuan "uses nine", and the world is governed.

In the third section, we repeatedly focus on time and position, explaining "Yao Ci" to explain phenomena with reason, and "you don't use dragons" means that the status is low and cannot be effective. "Seeing the dragon in the field" means that the time is not yet ripe and we still have to wait. "Working hard all day" means unremitting self-improvement, still working hard and doing what should be done. "Maybe jumping in the abyss" refers to the period of self-testing. "The flying dragon is in the sky" means that it has gained status and is displaying its ambitions. "Kanglong has regrets" means that the achievements have reached the extreme, and they will suffer losses due to fullness. "Qianyuan Yongjiu" means that the principle of masculinity should be used objectively, and the world will be peaceful when both rigidity and softness are combined.

"Don't use the hidden dragon", the yang energy is hidden. "Seeing the dragon in the field", the world is civilized. "Work hard all day long" and keep pace with the times. "Or jump in the abyss", the dry road is the revolution. "The flying dragon is in the sky" is the virtue of heaven. "Kanglong has regrets", keeping pace with the times.Qian Yuan's "use of nine" is the rule of heaven.

(End of this chapter)