4. YOUTHFUL FOLLY
Mêng
The Judgement
YOUTHFUL FOLLY has success. It is not I who seek the young fool; The young fool seeks me. At the first oracle I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity. If he is importunate, I give him no information. Perseverance furthers.
The Image
A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain: The image of YOUTH. Thus the superior man fosters his character by thoroughness in all that he does.
The Lines
Nine at the top: Striking the fool. It does not further one to commit transgressions. It furthers one to ward off transgressions.
The Image says: 'It furthers one to ward off transgressions.' High and low are in accord.
Six in the fifth place: Childlike folly brings good fortune.
The Image says: The good fortune of 'childlike folly' comes from being devoted and gentle.
Six in the fourth place: Entangled folly brings humiliation.
The Image says: The humiliation of 'entangled folly' comes from being far removed from the firm.
Six in the third place: Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze, loses possession of herself. Nothing furthers.
The Image says: 'One should not take such a maiden,' because her conduct is not in accord with the rules.
Nine in the second place: To bear with fools in kindness brings good fortune. To know how to take women brings good fortune. The son is capable of taking charge of the household.
The Image says: 'The son is capable of taking charge of the household,' because the firm and the yielding are in contact.
Six at the beginning: To make a fool develop, it is favorable to use punishments. One should remove the fetters. To go on in this way brings humiliation.
The Image says: 'It is favorable to use punishments' in order to bring about discipline.