34. Tao Chuang; The Power of the Great Above; Chen the Arousing thunder Below; Ch'ien the Creative heaven |
21st Century | Comparisons |
| The peak has been passed. When down seems
the only path, down where the growling thunder lives which seems to issue
from the earth itself, stand still to contemplate. To go on without
contemplating where you are and how you got there is folly and sure to
lead to trouble. Reflect on your fortune. Though the aspect is
dismaying take heart that which got you thus far will sustain you some
distance further. To fight against time is like a ram butting a hedge.
There will be entanglement.
Grace and strength are not exhibited externally but are in the workings of creation. Allow what is meant for a situation to find its place in that situation. A goat is meant for mountains, a hawk for the air, a fighting dog for fighting. To fight against the nature of a thing is bound to bring bad luck. Sometimes things are like a frozen nut on a bolt. Applying too much force causes the wrench to slip, grazing the knuckles and injuring the hand and rounding the corners of the nut. Applying oil and gentle force permits the nut to move and not fight. It remains serviceable after this treatment whereas injudicious application of power ruins it.
|
Line 1 |
Below are the comparative interpretations of a) Legge, b) Willhelm, c) Riefler, d) Crowley
a) Manifesting his strength in his toes. But advance will lead to evil, - most certainly.
b) Power in the toes. Continuing brings misfortune. This is certainly true.
c) The man gathers his strength in his toes. Definitely ominous if you advance.
d) Plant firm thy feet, but dare not yet to move;
a) With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
b) Perseverance brings good fortune.
c) Auspicious if you keep to your course.
d) Thy firm correctness exercises and prove.
a) In the case of a small man, one using all his strength; and in the case of a superior man, one whose rule is not to do so. Even with firm correctness the position would be perilous. (The exercise of strength in it might be compared to the case of) a ram butting against a fence, and getting his horns entangled.
b) The inferior man works through power. The superior man does not act thus. To continue is dangerous. A goat butts against a hedge and gets its horns entangled.
c) The small man uses up all his strength. The superior man conserves it. The ram butts against the fence, entangling his horns. Danger if you keep to your course.
d) Fences entangles rams who blindly shove;
a) Firm correctness leads to good fortune, and occasion for repentance disappears. (We see) the fence opened without the horns being entangled. The strength is like that in the wheel-spokes of a large wagon.
b) Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. The hedge opens; there is no entanglement. Power depends on the axle of a big cart.
c) The ram butts against the fence. He breaks through untangled. A large wagon depends on the strength of each wheel spoke. Auspicious if you keep to you course. Guilt disappears.
d) Strength fails to force some gates that yield to love.
a) one who loses his ram (like strength) in the ease of his position. (But) there will be no occasion for repentance.
b) Loses the goat with ease. No remorse.
c) His easy life destroys his ram like qualities. Without guilt.
d) Thy purpose gained, relax - nor tax thine heart so;
a) (one who may be compared to) the ram butting against the fence, and unable either to retreat, or to advance as he would fain do. There will not be advantage in any respect; but if he realise the difficulty (of his position), there will be good fortune.
b) A goat butts against a hedge. It cannot go backward, it cannot go forward. Nothing serves to further. If one notes the difficulty, this brings good fortune.
c) The ram is stuck in the fence. He can neither retreat or advance. No improvement in any way. Auspicious if you accept you position.
d) Once tangled, the best chance is - know thou art so!