22. Public Image to 35. Progress

Changing lines

1. Line 1

   The first line, dynamic, shows one adorning the way of his feet. He can discard a carriage and walk on foot. Line one is dynamic in a dynamic place at the bottom of the hexagram. He is also the first line in the trigram of fire or light, suggesting what is elegant and bright. He has nothing to do but to attend to himself; therefore he cultivates (adorns) himself in his humble position. If righteousness demands it he can give up every luxury and indulgence. He neither cares for nor needs adornment, and will walk in the way of righteousness without it.

2. Line 3

   The third line, dynamic, shows its subject with the appearance of being adorned and bedewed with rich favors. But let him ever maintain his firm correctness, and there will be good fortune. The third line is dynamic, and between two magnetic lines which adorn and bestow their favors on him. But this happy condition is due to the accident of place -- he must maintain his correctness to ensure its continuance. It is not ornament, but correct firmness which secures the respect of others.

3. Line 4

   The fourth line, magnetic, shows one looking as if adorned, but only in white. As if mounted on a white horse, and furnished with wings, she seeks union with the subject of the first line, while the intervening third pursues, not as a robber, but intent on a matrimonial alliance. Line four has its proper correlate in line one, from whose strength she should receive adornment. But lines two and three intervene and keep them apart so that the only adornment is white. The fourth line is faithful to line one however, and desires their union. Finally line three appears in a good character, and not with the purpose to injure, so that the union between one and four takes place. All this in intended to show how adornment recognizes the superiority of solidity. Compare hexagram lines 3:2 and 38:6. Because of their separation we might doubt how far line four would remain loyal to line one. The loyalty is insured through the character and object of line three.

The present judgment

Persona should be given its due, but there is no advantage in allowing it to advance and take the lead.

The later judgment

In Advance of Consciousness we see a prince who secures the tranquility of the people presented on that account with numerous horses by the king, and three times in a day received at interviews.

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