Chapter 2: http://www.taoism.net/ttc/complete.htm
The Yi Jing commented:
Difficult and easy bring about each other -> 45.4 > 8
The formation
45 - Group
The responsibility of a group requires foresight, perseverance and availability.
![](http://taoscopy.com/en/tirage.php?tirage=888978&echelle=10)
4 - One welcomes others on the behalf of someone.
In the making
8 - Sharing
Sharing a common vision. Hesitations can lead to regrets.
My interpretation:
Laozi is listing pairs of antonyms. Difficulties are lifted when a problem is broken down into smaller tasks, thus the idea of the group. And sometimes a simple task requires other things (a group) to be done, and the difficulty is raised, that could be what 45.4 is about. We are going to ask follow-up questions to find out if this interpretation can stand.
What is the group? (45)
What is the group? -> 39.5 > 15
The formation
39 - Uncertainty
Solving a difficulty requires a patient study. If one fails, they will receive help after showing that they have done their best.
![](http://taoscopy.com/en/tirage.php?tirage=887898&echelle=10)
5 - Problems that cannot be solved alone, one receives a visit when they needed it.
Solving a problem by decomposing it into smaller problems that are addressed in the right order
In the making
15 - Decency
One shall not provoke with initiatives.
Who or what welcomes others? (45.4)
Who or what welcomes others? -> 31.4 > 39
The formation
31 - Impulse
When one helps others, they come.
![](http://taoscopy.com/en/tirage.php?tirage=887978&echelle=10)
4 - One only thinks about what is known.
Some facets of the problem may have been overlooked
In the making
39 - Uncertainty
Solving a difficulty requires a patient study. If one fails, they will receive help after showing that they have done their best.
On the behalf of who or what? (45.4)
On the behalf of who or what? -> 53.1.3.6 > 3
The formation
53 - To associate
One offers their fellows to overcome constraints by associating.
![](http://taoscopy.com/en/tirage.php?tirage=689879&echelle=10)
1 - One stays away until supports calm down.
3 - Before leaving, one asks the others to address their negligence.
6 - One delays the meeting to arouse curiosity.
The solution to the problem is delayed.
In the making
3 - Remedy
Time will need to be spent. Seek assistance and clarify the situation by identifying the problems.
What is the common vision? (8)
What is the common vision? -> 13.1.2.3.4.5 > 4
The formation
13 - Company
Making oneself available. Not taking one's own opinions into account. General agreement is impossible.
![](http://taoscopy.com/en/tirage.php?tirage=969997&echelle=10)
1 - We were lost, but we will meet later.
2 - When it is difficult to succeed without help, one asks the most humble before calling the most able.
3 - Dressing one's hesitations.
4 - Losing one's bitterness.
5 - Acting together, then feeling lost. Both are worried and saddened but the feelings are shared. After great difficulties, the meeting will be joyful.
These are the steps that lead to the solution of the problem.
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.
Note here the hint about asking for advice.
Conclusion:
The oracle has commented this sentence with 45.4: One welcomes others on the behalf of someone. A problem can be broken down into simpler tasks, this is what the group is about. The simplicity comes when the complex problem is solved by completing each simple task. The difficulty comes when a simple task reveals itself more difficult than thought because it has been overlooked, as the oracle explained with 31.4.
The Yi Jing commented:
Difficult and easy bring about each other -> 45.4 > 8
The formation
45 - Group
The responsibility of a group requires foresight, perseverance and availability.
4 - One welcomes others on the behalf of someone.
In the making
8 - Sharing
Sharing a common vision. Hesitations can lead to regrets.
My interpretation:
Laozi is listing pairs of antonyms. Difficulties are lifted when a problem is broken down into smaller tasks, thus the idea of the group. And sometimes a simple task requires other things (a group) to be done, and the difficulty is raised, that could be what 45.4 is about. We are going to ask follow-up questions to find out if this interpretation can stand.
What is the group? (45)
What is the group? -> 39.5 > 15
The formation
39 - Uncertainty
Solving a difficulty requires a patient study. If one fails, they will receive help after showing that they have done their best.
5 - Problems that cannot be solved alone, one receives a visit when they needed it.
Solving a problem by decomposing it into smaller problems that are addressed in the right order
In the making
15 - Decency
One shall not provoke with initiatives.
Who or what welcomes others? (45.4)
Who or what welcomes others? -> 31.4 > 39
The formation
31 - Impulse
When one helps others, they come.
4 - One only thinks about what is known.
Some facets of the problem may have been overlooked
In the making
39 - Uncertainty
Solving a difficulty requires a patient study. If one fails, they will receive help after showing that they have done their best.
On the behalf of who or what? (45.4)
On the behalf of who or what? -> 53.1.3.6 > 3
The formation
53 - To associate
One offers their fellows to overcome constraints by associating.
1 - One stays away until supports calm down.
3 - Before leaving, one asks the others to address their negligence.
6 - One delays the meeting to arouse curiosity.
The solution to the problem is delayed.
In the making
3 - Remedy
Time will need to be spent. Seek assistance and clarify the situation by identifying the problems.
What is the common vision? (8)
What is the common vision? -> 13.1.2.3.4.5 > 4
The formation
13 - Company
Making oneself available. Not taking one's own opinions into account. General agreement is impossible.
1 - We were lost, but we will meet later.
2 - When it is difficult to succeed without help, one asks the most humble before calling the most able.
3 - Dressing one's hesitations.
4 - Losing one's bitterness.
5 - Acting together, then feeling lost. Both are worried and saddened but the feelings are shared. After great difficulties, the meeting will be joyful.
These are the steps that lead to the solution of the problem.
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.
Note here the hint about asking for advice.
Conclusion:
The oracle has commented this sentence with 45.4: One welcomes others on the behalf of someone. A problem can be broken down into simpler tasks, this is what the group is about. The simplicity comes when the complex problem is solved by completing each simple task. The difficulty comes when a simple task reveals itself more difficult than thought because it has been overlooked, as the oracle explained with 31.4.