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Book of Changes 易經

井 Jing

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往來井井
(Looking at) Jing, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water of a well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.

上水不窮未有是以
(We have the symbol of) wood in the water and the raising of the water; which (gives us the idea of) a well. A well supplies nourishment and is not (itself) exhausted. 'The site of a town may be changed, while the fashion of its wells undergoes no change:' - this is indicated by the central position of the strong lines (in the second and fifth places). 'The drawing is nearly accomplished, but the rope has not yet reached the water of the well:' - its service has not yet been accomplished. 'The bucket is broken:' - it is this that occasions evil.

有水君子
(The trigram representing) wood and above it that for water form Jing. The superior man, in accordance with this, comforts the people, and. stimulates them to mutual helpfulness.

初六
The first SIX, divided, shows a well so muddy that men will not drink of it; or an old well to which neither birds (nor other creatures) resort.


'A well so muddy that men will not drink of it:' - this is indicated by the low position (of the line). 'An old well to which the birds do not come:' - it has been forsaken in the course of time.


The second NINE, undivided, shows a well from which by a hole the water escapes and flows away to the shrimps (and such small creatures among the grass), or one the water of which leaks away from a broken basket.


'A well from which by a hole the water escapes, and flows away to the shrimps:' - (the subject of this second line has) none co-operating with him (above).

王明
The third NINE, undivided, shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this, for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it.

王明
'The well has been cleared out, but is not used:' - (even) passers-by would be sorry for this. A prayer is made 'that the king were intelligent:' - for then blessing would be received.

六四
The fourth SIX, divided, shows a well, the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error.


'A well the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error:' - the well has been put in good repair.


The fifth NINE, undivided, shows a clear, limpid well, (the waters from) whose cold spring are (freely) drunk.

中正
'The waters from the cold spring are (freely) drunk:' - this is indicated by the central and correct position (of the line).


The topmost SIX, divided, shows (the water from) the well brought to the top, which is not allowed to be covered. This suggests the idea of sincerity. There will be great good fortune.

大成
'The great good fortune' at the topmost place indicates the grand accomplishment (of the idea in the hexagram).


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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