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__  __ Hexagram Four:  
       Meng / Inexperience


A fresh Spring 
at the foot of the Mountain:
The Superior Person 
refines his character
by being thorough 
in every activity.
The sage 
does not recruit students;
the students seek him.
He asks nothing 
but a sincere desire 
to learn.
If the student doubts 
or challenges his authority,
the sage regretfully 
cuts his losses.

Success
if you are sincerely firm.


Hexagram Four/Line One:
A little discipline
will make the fool
sit up and take notice.
Afterwards, the matter 
should be dropped,
or some will question 
which is the master
and which the fool.


Hexagram Four/Line Two:
The man is gentle 
with the misguided
and understands 
the hearts of women.
Such a one 
can be trusted 
with the kingdom.


Hexagram Four/Line Three:
No one respects
a lovestruck woman
who throws herself 
at the object 
of her desire.
Do not idolize.


Hexagram Four/Line Four:
You are so terrified
of being wrong,
you leave no room
for learning 
what is right.


Hexagram Four/Line Five:
Like a wide-eyed child,
you wholly and naively trust
the goodness of others.
Such honor brings out their best.


Hexagram Four/Line Six:
The best way to prove a fool wrong
is to let him have his way.
To severely restrict his folly
will invite him to always believe
that his way would have been right.

Copyright 1995-1996 Roger Norton Consulting. All rights reserved.