25. INNOCENCE (THE UNEXPECTED)
Wu Wang
The Judgement
INNOCENCE. Supreme success. Perseverance furthers. If someone is not as he should be, He has misfortune, And it does not further him To undertake anything.
The Image
Under heaven thunder rolls: All things attain the state of innocence. Thus the ancient kings, Rich in virtue and in harmony with the time, Fostered and nourished all beings.
The Lines
Nine at the top: Innocent action brings misfortune. Nothing furthers.
The Image says: 'Innocent action brings misfortune.' This is the calamity of exhaustion.
Nine in the fifth place: Use no medicine in an illness from which one is not suffering. It will pass of itself.
The Image says: 'Use no medicine in an illness from which one is not suffering.' One should not try it.
Nine in the fourth place: He who can be persevering remains without blame.
The Image says: 'He who can be persevering remains without blame,' because he holds fast to it.
Six in the third place: Undeserved misfortune. The ox that was tethered is the wanderer's gain, the citizen's loss.
The Image says: 'The wanderer gets the ox.' This is a misfortune for the citizen.
Six in the second place: Do not count on the harvest while plowing, nor on the use of the ground while clearing it. Thus it is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The Image says: 'Do not count on the harvest while plowing.' One is not yet rich.
Nine at the beginning: Innocent behavior brings good fortune.
The Image says: 'Innocent behavior brings good fortune,' because the will is fulfilled.