Hexagram 42: Yi

Judgment

利有攸往。利涉大川。

Yî indicates that (in the state which it denotes) there will be advantage in every movement which shall be undertaken, that it will be advantageous (even) to cross the great stream.

Setting out in any direction is favorable, and this is a good time to take on something large, as large as crossing a big river.

Image

風雷，益；君子以見善則遷，有過則改。

(The trigram representing) wind and that for thunder form Yî. The superior man, in accordance with this, when he sees what is good, moves towards it; and when he sees his errors, he turns from them.

Line 1 · 初九

利用為大作，元吉，无咎。

The first line, undivided, shows that it will be advantageous for its subject in his position to make a great movement. If it be greatly fortunate, no blame will be imputed to him.

You are being backed from above, so a big effort is justified. The effort has to produce something clearly good for no one to find fault with it.

Line 2 · 六二

或益之，十朋之龜弗克違，永貞吉。王用享于帝，吉。

The second line, divided, shows parties adding to the stores of its subject ten pairs of tortoise shells whose oracles cannot be opposed. Let him persevere in being firm and correct, and there will be good fortune. Let the king, (having the virtues thus distinguished), employ them in presenting his offerings to God, and there will be good fortune.

Gifts arrive from many sides, and even the oracle agrees with them. Staying steady over the long run bodes well, as does the king's offering to Heaven.

Line 3 · 六三

益之用凶事，无咎。有孚中行，告公用圭。

The third line, divided, shows increase given to its subject by means of what is evil, so that he shall (be led to good), and be without blame. Let him be sincere and pursue the path of the Mean, (so shall he secure the recognition of the ruler, like) an officer who announces himself to his prince by the symbol of his rank.

A bad event ends up helping you, because it pushes you to act, and no one can fault that. Stay sincere and take the middle course, and those above can trust your word.

Line 4 · 六四

中行，告公從。利用為依遷國。

The fourth line, divided, shows its subject pursuing the due course. His advice to his prince is followed. He can with advantage be relied on in such a movement as that of removing the capital.

You keep to the middle course, and your ruler follows your advice. You are fit to be relied on even in a major move, such as relocating the capital.

Line 5 · 九五

有孚惠心，勿問元吉。有孚惠我德。

The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject with sincere heart seeking to benefit (all below). There need be no question about it; the result will be great good fortune. (All below) will with sincere heart acknowledge his goodness.

Give with a sincere and generous heart, and there is no need to ask how it will turn out. The omen is very good, and people respond with real gratitude.

Line 6 · 上九

莫益之，或擊之，立心勿恆，凶。

In the sixth line, undivided, we see one to whose increase none will contribute, while many will seek to assail him. He observes no regular rule in the ordering of his heart. There will be evil.

At the height of growth your heart turns unsteady and you keep wanting more, so nobody adds to you and some even strike at you. Trouble follows.