Hexagram 25: Wu Wang

Judgment

元亨。利貞。其匪正有眚，不利有攸往。

Wû Wang indicates great progress and success, while there will be advantage in being firm and correct. If (its subject and his action) be not correct, he will fall into errors, and it will not be advantageous for him to move in any direction.

Acting without scheming opens the way, and it pays to stay steady and correct. If your course is crooked, trouble follows and setting out gains nothing.

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天下雷行，物與无妄；先王以茂對時，育萬物。

The thunder rolls all under the sky, and to (every)thing there is given (its nature), free from all insincerity. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, (made their regulations) in complete accordance with the seasons, thereby nourishing all things.

Line 1 · 初九

无妄，往吉。

The first line, undivided, shows its subject free from all insincerity. His advance will be accompanied with good fortune.

At the very start you act with no hidden angle and no false motive, and setting out on that basis goes well.

Line 2 · 六二

不耕穫，不菑畬，則利有攸往。

The second line, divided, shows one who reaps without having ploughed (that he might reap), and gathers the produce of his third year's fields without having cultivated them the first year for that end. To such a one there will be advantage in whatever direction he may move.

You work the land without keeping a ledger of what it will yield. Doing the task for itself, with no private plan for the payoff, makes setting out a sound choice.

Line 3 · 六三

无妄之災，或繫之牛，行人之得，邑人之災。

The third line, divided, shows calamity happening to one who is free from insincerity;--as in the case of an ox that has been tied up. A passer by finds it (and carries it off), while the people in the neighbourhood have the calamity (of being accused and apprehended).

A sudden disaster hits people who did nothing wrong. An ox is tied up, a passerby walks off with it, and the neighbors are the ones who get blamed.

Line 4 · 九四

可貞，无咎。

The fourth line, undivided, shows (a case) in which, if its subject can remain firm and correct, there will be no error.

You can hold to what is right where you are, and no fault follows. This line suits holding your ground and gives no backing to new ventures.

Line 5 · 九五

无妄之疾，勿藥有喜。

The fifth line, undivided, shows one who is free from insincerity, and yet has fallen ill. Let him not use medicine, and he will have occasion for joy (in his recovery).

A problem arrives that you did nothing to cause, which the text pictures as a sudden illness. The figure says to avoid overreacting, since it can pass on its own and joy follows.

Line 6 · 上九

无妄，行有眚，无攸利。

The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject free from insincerity, yet sure to fall into error, if he take action. (His action) will not be advantageous in any way.

At the top you are still honest, but the situation has reached its limit. Moving now brings misfortune and no gain.