Hexagram 4 — Mêng, Youthful Folly

4. Mêng - Youthful Folly
Above (in front): Kên - Keeping Still (Mountain)
Below (behind): K'an - The Abysmal (Water)




The Judgement for the Current Situation

Youthful Folly has success.
It is not I who seek the young fool;
The young fool seeks me.
At the first oracle I inform him.
If he asks two or three times, it is importunity.
If he importunes, I give him no information.
Perseverance furthers.


The Image for the Current Situation

A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain:
The image of Youth.
Thus the superior man fosters his character
By thoroughness in all that he does.

The Lines

Please remember: I Ching lines are counted upwards (starting at the bottom line)!

Top line:

In punishing folly
It does not further one
To commit transgressions.
The only thing that furthers
Is to prevent transgressions.

Fifth line:
Childlike folly brings good fortune.

Fourth line:
Entangled folly brings humiliation.

Third line:
Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze,
Loses possession of herself.
Nothing furthers.

Second line:
To bear with fools in kindliness brings good fortune.
To know how to take women
Brings good fortune.
The son is capable of taking charge of the household.

Bottom line:
To make a fool develop
It furthers one to apply discipline.
The fetters should be removed.
To go on in this way brings humiliation.