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Chapter 2: http://www.taoism.net/ttc/complete.htm
The Yi Jing commented:
When it knows good as good, evil arises -> 23.4.6 > 16
The formation
23 - Erosion
Decline that one can control by using their reservations.
4 - One does not want to support any more.
6 - One accepts the rupture. They will obtain support and means of action.
In the making
16 - Youth
Youth can be mobilized. It is a period of indecision which will be emerged through involvement.
My interpretation:
This is a very open answer, that leads us to think about how knowledge of good can lead to disputes (rupture at the sixth line) and exhaustion of resources (at the fourth line and also the whole hexagram 23). We are going to ask some follow-up questions for additional insight:
What is the decline? (23)
What is the decline? -> 18.4.6 > 32
The formation
18 - Disorder
One needs to abandon their affairs and make themself available to patiently soften their most embarrassing flaws, in order to be able to inspire trust and be engaged by those who can help them.
4 - Others do not commit themselves because one did not convince them.
6 - One leaves others to go and see.
In the making
32 - Perseverance
One must be careful before committing themself, after they must continue.
The decline of non-recognition of good. Something has been recognized as good.
What are the reservations? (23)
What are the reservations? -> 40.1 > 54
The formation
40 - Amending
One makes progress by abandoning what limited them.
1 - One wants to free themself, it's a good decision.
Once something has been recognized as good someone wants to get freed of it.
In the making
54 - Assistance
Protect one's interests by making oneself useful.
Who or what cannot support any more? (23.4)
Who or what cannot support any more? -> 41.1 > 4
The formation
41 - Remove
One loses their support and abandons. Accepting the constraints will arouse sympathy.
1 - When one compels they must stop.
Someone does not want to be forced to do good.
In the making
4 - Asking for advice
Give references to the student who asks oneself questions, but delay before answering to the foolish questions. That way the student will trust their judgment.
What cannot be supported any more? (23.4)
What cannot be supported any more? -> 40.6 > 64
The formation
40 - Amending
One makes progress by abandoning what limited them.
6 - After getting ready, one can solve the issues in time.
Doing good.
In the making
64 - Instability
One must show patience and only act knowingly. They are cautious and inform their relatives.
What rupture? (23.6)
What rupture? -> 5.2 > 63
The formation
5 - Patience
Something is coming, look forward to it with confidence rather than going and see.
2 - There was a bad start because there was no discussion.
Rupture with silence (non-discussion).
In the making
63 - Maximum
One can make a few improvements to not see the decline.
What support will be obtained? (23.6)
What support will be obtained? -> 6.1.2.3.4 > 37
The formation
6 - Claim
One is prevented from continuing, despite thinking that they say the truth. Do not use force to conclude. Entrust a mediator.
1 - One shall not continue to raise their voice. Despite the comments, the conclusion will be fair.
2 - One should not claim what belongs to someone stronger, they will find comfort within their neighborhood.
3 - One will succeed by their own means.
4 - One wants to win then stops because they see the weakness of the other.
Somone will realize that what they are too weak to do good but will stop talking about it.
In the making
37 - Relatives
One nurtures their relationships by maintaining contact.
What means of action will be obtained? (23.6)
What means of action will be obtained? -> 44.3 > 6
The formation
44 - Invitation
One must not abuse hospitality.
3 - One does not move toward the danger without verifying and being prepared.
Becoming careful when doing evil.
In the making
6 - Claim
One is prevented from continuing, despite thinking that they say the truth. Do not use force to conclude. Entrust a mediator.
What kind of involvement? (16)
What kind of involvement? -> 44.6 > 28
The formation
44 - Invitation
One must not abuse hospitality.
6 - One asks their relatives to wait because they are not ready.
Someone wants to do evil so they will perform it when they are alone.
In the making
28 - Abandonment
One goes on their own if necessary. Stick to the essential.
Conclusion:
The hexagram 23 is about erosion. What is being eroded? The arguments against goodness. The line 23.4 shows someone who cannot compel themself to do good forever, the line 23.6 shows that when reaching an agreement about goodness, the evil person stops discussing and becomes careful when doing it. The hexagram 16 shows that goodness is abandoned because someone is not ready to make the efforts to do good.
Thus, a general knowledge about good makes the evil person more cautious, and being more cautious, this person will not be easily caught when performing evil acts.
The Yi Jing commented:
When it knows good as good, evil arises -> 23.4.6 > 16
The formation
23 - Erosion
Decline that one can control by using their reservations.
4 - One does not want to support any more.
6 - One accepts the rupture. They will obtain support and means of action.
In the making
16 - Youth
Youth can be mobilized. It is a period of indecision which will be emerged through involvement.
My interpretation:
This is a very open answer, that leads us to think about how knowledge of good can lead to disputes (rupture at the sixth line) and exhaustion of resources (at the fourth line and also the whole hexagram 23). We are going to ask some follow-up questions for additional insight:
What is the decline? (23)
What is the decline? -> 18.4.6 > 32
The formation
18 - Disorder
One needs to abandon their affairs and make themself available to patiently soften their most embarrassing flaws, in order to be able to inspire trust and be engaged by those who can help them.
4 - Others do not commit themselves because one did not convince them.
6 - One leaves others to go and see.
In the making
32 - Perseverance
One must be careful before committing themself, after they must continue.
The decline of non-recognition of good. Something has been recognized as good.
What are the reservations? (23)
What are the reservations? -> 40.1 > 54
The formation
40 - Amending
One makes progress by abandoning what limited them.
1 - One wants to free themself, it's a good decision.
Once something has been recognized as good someone wants to get freed of it.
In the making
54 - Assistance
Protect one's interests by making oneself useful.
Who or what cannot support any more? (23.4)
Who or what cannot support any more? -> 41.1 > 4
The formation
41 - Remove
One loses their support and abandons. Accepting the constraints will arouse sympathy.
1 - When one compels they must stop.
Someone does not want to be forced to do good.
In the making
4 - Asking for advice
Give references to the student who asks oneself questions, but delay before answering to the foolish questions. That way the student will trust their judgment.
What cannot be supported any more? (23.4)
What cannot be supported any more? -> 40.6 > 64
The formation
40 - Amending
One makes progress by abandoning what limited them.
6 - After getting ready, one can solve the issues in time.
Doing good.
In the making
64 - Instability
One must show patience and only act knowingly. They are cautious and inform their relatives.
What rupture? (23.6)
What rupture? -> 5.2 > 63
The formation
5 - Patience
Something is coming, look forward to it with confidence rather than going and see.
2 - There was a bad start because there was no discussion.
Rupture with silence (non-discussion).
In the making
63 - Maximum
One can make a few improvements to not see the decline.
What support will be obtained? (23.6)
What support will be obtained? -> 6.1.2.3.4 > 37
The formation
6 - Claim
One is prevented from continuing, despite thinking that they say the truth. Do not use force to conclude. Entrust a mediator.
1 - One shall not continue to raise their voice. Despite the comments, the conclusion will be fair.
2 - One should not claim what belongs to someone stronger, they will find comfort within their neighborhood.
3 - One will succeed by their own means.
4 - One wants to win then stops because they see the weakness of the other.
Somone will realize that what they are too weak to do good but will stop talking about it.
In the making
37 - Relatives
One nurtures their relationships by maintaining contact.
What means of action will be obtained? (23.6)
What means of action will be obtained? -> 44.3 > 6
The formation
44 - Invitation
One must not abuse hospitality.
3 - One does not move toward the danger without verifying and being prepared.
Becoming careful when doing evil.
In the making
6 - Claim
One is prevented from continuing, despite thinking that they say the truth. Do not use force to conclude. Entrust a mediator.
What kind of involvement? (16)
What kind of involvement? -> 44.6 > 28
The formation
44 - Invitation
One must not abuse hospitality.
6 - One asks their relatives to wait because they are not ready.
Someone wants to do evil so they will perform it when they are alone.
In the making
28 - Abandonment
One goes on their own if necessary. Stick to the essential.
Conclusion:
The hexagram 23 is about erosion. What is being eroded? The arguments against goodness. The line 23.4 shows someone who cannot compel themself to do good forever, the line 23.6 shows that when reaching an agreement about goodness, the evil person stops discussing and becomes careful when doing it. The hexagram 16 shows that goodness is abandoned because someone is not ready to make the efforts to do good.
Thus, a general knowledge about good makes the evil person more cautious, and being more cautious, this person will not be easily caught when performing evil acts.