57. Sun The Gentle Above; Sun the Gentle wind, wood Below; Sun the Gentle wind, wood |
21st Century |
Comparisons |
| Akin to gradual growth the
quiet accretion of effects is the best way to accomplish without causing
disruption and trouble. Gentleness coupled with selflessness results in
wide reaching benefits.
A tree grows steadily but slowly. In drought years this may be inhibited, in nourishing years more rapid. But that is relative. The wind has force because of its continuity, its perseverance as it were, the gentle wind is good, a harsh cold wind is bad. A ferocious wind can kill. An enterprise can be like warfare against adversity. The stolidness of a warrior who has committed themselves to cause is needed. Observation and rationality will identify problems but it will be necessary to trace problems to their roots. One must be firm in the process. Reliance on priests and shamans or oracles will not solve the problem one has identified. Though the simplicity and focus of a meditating monk may well be necessary. There are problems with too much reflection. Contemplation without action is simply thoughtful inaction, some might say indolence. One has to act on what one learns. We are living things which need to move in order to survive and thrive. Movement is growth and change. It exposes us to selective pressures which are needed in the long term. In our pursuit of our goals if we can satisfy the three measures; sense, purpose and belief, our efforts will be fruitful. This does not preclude variety, merely inferiority. In doing what we do best, which is what we love, we develop authority and an economy of action which appears to be swiftness but is in fact is sureness. If we are not satisfying these measures we will know that time has come for a change. A fork has been reached, to leave the past behind and begin with the new. Improvement over replacement. But change all the same. Depending on the shock of the change one must give it the proper thought before initiating chane, thus showing care. If one's inhibitions are rooted in the past it can happen that too much contemplating of these injuries can lead to paralysis. Contemplation of the past, especially in the sense of injury can be counterproductive without resolution. Wrestling with demons and trauma's can leave one too exhausted to do anything else. Dwelling in the past helps no one. |
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Below are the comparative interpretations of a) Legge, b) Willhelm, c) Riefler, d) Crowley
a) (now) advancing, (now) receding. It would be advantageous for him to have the firm correctness of a brave soldier.
b) In advancing and in retreating, The perseverance of a warrior furthers.
c) He comes and goes like little gusts of wind. Keep to your course like a brave soldier.
d) Infirm of purpose, learn the soldier's way!
a) The representative of Sun beneath a couch, and employing diviners and exorcists in a way bordering on confusion. There will be good fortune and no error.
b) Penetration under the bed. Priests and magicians are used in great number. Good fortune. No blame.
c) There is wind beneath the couch. Confusion. Magicians and exorcists are called in. Auspicious. No mistakes.
d) Ask humbly of the Gods to guide thy course!
a) penetrating (only) by violent and repeated efforts. There will be occasion for regret.
b) repeated penetration. No blame.
c) Only strong gusts of wind beating against the house can penetrate it. You will regret it.
d) Violent excess of struggle breeds remorse.
a) all occasion for repentance (in its subject) passed away. He takes game for its threefold use in his hunting.
b) Remorse vanishes. During the hunt Three kinds of game are caught.
c) The hunter takes game for its threefold use. Guilt disappears.
d) Wise forethought and shrewd tactics pledge thee prey.
a) that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (to its subject). All occasion for repentance will disappear, and all his movements will be advantageous. There may have been no (good) beginning, but there will be a (good) end. Three days before making any changes, (let him give notice of them); and three days after, (let him reconsider them). There will (thus) be good fortune.
b) Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse vanishes. Nothing that does not further. No beginning, but an end. Before the change, three days. After the change, three days. Good fortune.
c) Auspicious if you keep to your course. There may have been a bad beginning, but there will be a good ending. For three day before you make any changes consider them carefully; for three days after you make any changes reconsider them. Advance. Guilt disappears.
d) With steady easy strokes apply thy force.
a) the representative of penetration beneath a couch, and having lost the axe with which he executed his decisions. However firm and correct he may (try to) be, there will be evil.
b) Penetration under the bed. He loses his property and his axe. Perseverance brings misfortune.
c) The wind dies under the couch. It no longer has the power to penetrate the crevice by which it entered. Ominous if you keep to your course.
d) Fear, indecision, sap the last resource.