Meng

Hexagram: Meng (Youthful Ignorance)

The Hexagram Meng: Success. It is not I who seek the youthful and ignorant, but the youthful and ignorant seek me. On the first divination, I give the answer; if consulted repeatedly and frivolously, it is disrespectful. Disrespect receives no answer. Favorable to be steadfast and correct.

First Yin: Bringing forth ignorance. It is fitting to use punishment to correct people, but loosen their shackles. Haste leads to regret.

Second Yang: Embracing ignorance is auspicious. Taking a wife is auspicious. The son can manage the household.

Third Yin: Do not marry this woman. She will yield to a wealthy man. Marrying her brings no benefit.

Fourth Yin: Trapped in ignorance—there will be regret.

Fifth Yin: Childlike ignorance is auspicious.

Top Yang: Punishing ignorance. It is not beneficial to use violent methods. It is beneficial to defend against disorder.

Commentary on the Judgment: Meng: below the mountain there is peril. Encountering peril and stopping—this is ignorance. Meng’s success comes from acting in accord with the way of success and seizing the timely mean. “It is not I who seek the youthful and ignorant, but the youthful and ignorant seek me”—this shows their will responding. “On the first divination, I give the answer”—because the second line is strong and central. “If consulted repeatedly and frivolously, it is disrespectful; disrespect receives no answer”—because disrespect profanes ignorance. To nurture correct character in ignorance—this is the work of the sage.

Commentary on the Image: A spring emerges from the foot of the mountain—this is the image of Meng. The noble one, through decisive action, nurtures virtue.

“Using punishment to correct people”—this is to straighten the law.

“The son can manage the household”—because the strong and yielding interact harmoniously.

“Do not marry this woman”—because her conduct is not in accord with reason.

“The regret of being trapped in ignorance”—because one is isolated from the solid and bright reality.

“The auspiciousness of childlike ignorance”—because of softness and humility.

“Beneficial to defend against disorder”—because both above and below are compliant.