20. Contemplation to 32. Consistency

Changing lines

1. Line 2

   The second line, magnetic, shows one peeping out from a door. It would be advantageous if it were merely the firm correctness of a female. Line two is magnetic in her proper place, showing a woman who lives retired and only able to peep through the crack of her door at her fifth-line correlate. But ignorance and retirement are proper in a woman.

2. Line 3

   The third line, magnetic, shows one looking at the course of her own life, to advance or recede accordingly. The magnetic third line at the top of the lower trigram of Receptivity belongs to one of utmost docility. She wishes to act only according to the exigency of the time and circumstances, and will advance or recede accordingly.

3. Line 4

   The fourth line, magnetic, shows one contemplating the glory of the kingdom. It will be advantageous for her, being such as she is, to seek to be a guest of the king. Line four, in a properly magnetic place is just below the properly dynamic fifth-line sovereign. She is moved accordingly, and stirred to ambition. The "glory of the kingdom" is the virtue of the sovereign and the noble character of his administration.

4. Line 5

   The fifth line, dynamic, shows its subject contemplating his own life course. A superior man, he will thus fall into no error. Line five is dynamic, and in the place of the ruler. He is a superior man, but this does not relieve him from the duty of self-contemplation or examination.

5. Line 6

   The sixth line, dynamic, shows its subject contemplating his character to see if it be indeed that of a superior man. He will not fall into error. There is a slight difference in the sixth line from the fifth which can hardly be expressed in a translation. By making a change in the punctuation, however, the different significance may be brought out. Line six is dynamic, and should be considered out of the work of the hexagram, but he is still possessed by its spirit, and is led to self- examination.

The present judgment

Contemplation shows us a worshipper who has purified himself, but must still present his sacrifice with that dignified sincerity which inspires reverence.

The later judgment

Consistency means successful progress without error through firm correctness. Movement in any direction is advantageous.

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