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Book of Changes 易經

无妄 Wu Wang

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无妄不利
Wu 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.

无妄外來為主大亨不利无妄天命
In Wu Wang we have the strong (first) line come from the outer (trigram), and become in the inner trigram lord (of the whole figure); we have (the attributes of) motive power and strength; we have the strong line (of the fifth place) in the central position, and responded to (by the weak second): - there will be 'great progress proceeding from correctness; such is the appointment of Heaven. '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:' - whither can he (who thinks he is) free from all insincerity, (and yet is as here described) proceed? Can anything be done (advantageously) by him whom the (will and) appointment of Heaven do not help?

天下无妄先王萬物
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.

初九无妄
The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject free from all insincerity. His advance will be accompanied with good fortune.

无妄得志
When 'he who is free from insincerity makes any movement,' he will get what he desires.


The second SIX, 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.


'He reaps without having ploughed:' - (the thought of) riches to be got had not risen (in his mind).

无妄行人邑人
The third SIX, 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).

行人邑人
'The passer-by gets the ox:' - this proves a calamity to the people of the neighbourhood.


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

固有
'If he can remain firm and correct there will be no error:' - he firmly holds fast (his correctness).

无妄有喜
The fifth NINE, 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).

无妄不可
'Medicine in the case of one who is free from insincerity!' - it should not be tried (at all).

无妄
The topmost NINE, 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.

无妄
'The action (in this case) of one who is free from insincerity' will occasion the calamity arising from action (when the time for it is) exhausted.


作品全世界属于公有领域因为作者逝世已经超过100并且192311之前出版
English translation: Legge 1882

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