Name: The World
Number: 21
Article: yes
|
 |
Ground: Kên, Tui, K'an, K'un
Meaning:
Lü / Treading [Conduct]
|
The Hexagram
Lü / Treading [Conduct]
Above CH'IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
Below TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
The
name of the hexagram means on the one hand the right way of conducting
oneself. Heaven, the father, is above, and the lake, the youngest
daughter, is below. This shows the difference between high and low,
upon which composure, correct social conduct, depends. On the other
hand the word for the name of the hexagram, TREADING, means literally
treading upon something. The small and cheerful [Tui] treads upon the
large and strong [Ch'ien]. The direction of movement of the two primary
trigrams is upward. The fact that the strong treads on the weak is not
mentioned in the Book of Changes, because it is taken for granted. For
the weak to take a stand against the strong is not dangerous here,
because it happened in good humor [Tui] and without presumption, so
that the strong man is not irritated but takes it all in good part.
The Judgment
TREADING. Treading upon the tail of the tiger.
It does not bite the man. Success.
The
situation is really difficult. That which is strongest and that which
is weakest are close together. The weak follows behind the strong and
worries it. The strong, however, acquiesces and does not hurt the weak,
because the contact is in good humor and harmless.
In
terms of a human situation, one is handling wild, intractable people.
In such a case one's purpose will be achieved if one behaves with
decorum. Pleasant manners succeed even with irritable people.
The Image
Heaven above, the lake below:
The image of TREADING.
Thus the superior man discriminates between high and low,
And thereby fortifies the thinking of the people.
Heaven
and the lake show a difference of elevation that inheres in the natures
of the two, hence no envy arises. Among mankind also there are
necessarily differences of elevation; it is impossible to bring about
universal equality. But it is important that differences in social rank
should not be arbitrary and unjust, for if this occurs, envy and class
struggle are the inevitable consequences. If, on the other hand,
external differences in rank correspond with differences in inner
worth, and if inner worth forms the criterion of external rank, people
acquiesce and order reigns in society.