3.Chun. Difficulty at the Beginning. Above; K'an The Abysmal, Water Below; Chen The Arousing, Thunder |
21st Century | For comparison |
| Delegate authority. An army is known by its soldiers, a city by its
citizens, a country by its laws, a civilization by its art.
Paradoxically the Improbable things are most likely. Therefore be prepared. The image of black pond floating lilac algae under a turquoise sun. Strange and moving. From this we came. All is change, manage by learning without experience. A thing newly germinated struggles until it consolidates its hold on it's niche. A thing which grows is subtle and delicate, yet robust, inclined to live. Nurture beginnings which bring growth. |
Below are the interpretations of a) Legge, b) Willhelm, c) Riefler, d) Crowley
a) Difficulty in advancing. It will be advantageous for him to abide correct and firm; advantageous also to be made a feudal ruler
b) hesitation and hindrance. It furthers one to remain persevering. It furthers one to appoint helpers.
c) Advance is difficult. Keep to your course. Render assistance
d) Hard mere advance: maintain thy place correct.
e) Difficult to just advance. Stay firm, correct and dependable
a) Distressed and obliged to return; (even) the horses of her chariot (also) seem to be retreating. (But) not by a spoiler is she assailed, but by one who seeks her to be his wife. The young lady maintains her firm correctness, and declines a union. After ten years she will be united, and have children.
b) Difficulties pile up. Horse and wagon part. He is not a robber; He wants to woo when the time comes. The maiden is chaste, she does not pledge herself. Ten years - then she pledges herself
c) The horses rear, sensing ambush. Distressed she tries to turn back. But the waylayer is not a marauder; he is a suitor for her hand in marriage. The woman keeps to her course and refuses him. In ten years she will marry and have children.
d) Distress, retreat; fear not not, a friend is nigh.
e) Distressed by misapprehension of the others intent. No quick friendship here, but built by time and trust.
a) Following deer without (the guidance of) the forester, and only finding himself in the midst of the forest. The superior man, acquainted with the secret risks thinks it better to give up the chase. If he went forward he would regret it.
b) Whoever hunts deer without the forester Only loses his way in the forest. The superior man understands the signs of the time And prefers to desist. To go on brings humiliation
c) Whoever hunts deer without a guide will lose his way in the depths of the forest. The superior man is aware of the hidden dangers and gives up the chase. If you advance you will regret it.
d) Lost in the wood, seek not the deer to espy.
e) In a quest the wise avoid humiliation by admitting when they are lost.
a) The horses of the lady's chariot appear in retreat. She seeks however( the help) of him who seeks her to be his wife. Advance will be fortunate; all will turn out advantageously
b) Horse and wagon part. Strive for union. To go brings good fortune. Everything acts to further.
c) The horses of her chariot turn back. She seeks assistance from her suitor. Auspicious if you advance. Improvement.
d) Retreating, seek thy mate; with him, aim high.
e) Friendship will help in times of reversal.
a) Difficulties in the way of dispensing the rich favours that might be expected of him. With firmness and correctness there will be good fortune in small things;(even) with them in great things there will be evil.
b) Difficulties in blessing. A little perseverance brings good fortune.
c) The man should be generous But difficulties confront him. Auspicious in small things if you keep to your course. Ominous in great things if you keep to your course.
d) Dispense rich favours as thy friends expect.
e) Just generosity even when it is difficult promotes familiarity with one's good intentions.
a) With the horses of his chariot obliged to retreat, and weeping tears of blood in streams.
b) Horse and wagon part. Bloody tears flow.
c) The horses of her chariot turn back. She weeps streams of blood.
d) Thine horses bolt; bleed tears of agony.
e) The saddest thing of all is to give up the struggle.