Hexagram 4 Line 1: 初六

Meng Youthful Folly

Position: Line 1 (Lower Trigram)初六 Yin ⚋ (Broken)Register: distressFamous Line

Classical Chinese Text

初六 發蒙。利用刑人。用說桎梏。以往吝。

發蒙。利用刑人

Wilhelm Translation

To make a fool develop It furthers one to apply discipline. The fetters should be removed. To go on in this way brings humiliation.

Commentary

To make a fool develop, it furthers to apply discipline—but the fetters must be removed once the lesson takes hold. Youth takes everything carelessly at first; it must be shown life's seriousness. But discipline should not become drill. Continuous punishment humiliates and cripples; once understanding arrives, release the chains.

When This Line Changes

If Line 1 changes, Hexagram 4 Meng (Youthful Folly) transforms into Hexagram 41 Sun (Decrease).

(4)
(41)

Parent Hexagram

Youthful Folly
Meng (4)

Mountain () over Water ()

Upper Trigram: Mountain | Lower Trigram: Water