Gǔ — Work on the Decayed

Modern Interpretation

Supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Three days before the turning point, three days after. What was spoiled through neglect can be repaired through work. Deliberate carefully before and after beginning.

Modern Interpretation

Wind blows low on the mountain, spoiling vegetation. The person of character stirs the people and strengthens their spirit. Decay challenges us to renovate—both structures and souls.

「山下有風，蠱。君子以振民育德。」風吹山腳，被擋回來，把草木吹壞。這景象有點頹敗。但古人看見的是挑戰：既然壞了，就要修。先要喚醒人心，再慢慢培養品德。次序很重要。

The bream is born in rivers and streams; one fish multiplies to a hundred. Circling throughout the realm, encountering no hardship or evil.

Daumier, a political caricaturist and realist painter, depicted working-class Parisians in cramped railway carriages. The painting shows an elderly woman, a young mother nursing an infant, and a sleeping boy crowded together in third-class accommodations. The scene addresses the inherited conditions and social stratification of 19th-century French society.

The Judgment

What has been spoiled through man's fault can be made good again through man's work. It is not immutable fate, as in the time of STANDSTILL, that has caused the state of corruption, but rather the abuse of human freedom. Work toward improving conditions promises well, because it accords the possibilities of the time. We must not recoil from work and danger–symbolized by crossing of the great water–but must take hold energetically. Success depends, however, on proper deliberation. This is expressed by the lines, "Before the starting point, three days. After the starting point, three days. " We must first know the cause of corruption before we can do away with them; hence it is necessary to be cautious during the time before the start. Then we must see to it that the new way is safely entered upon, so that a relapse may be avoided; therefore we must pay attention to the time after the start. Decisiveness and energy must take the place of the inertia and indifference that have led to decay, in order that the ending may be followed by a new beginning.

The Image

When the wind blows low on the mountain, it is thrown back and spoils the vegetation. This contains a challenge to improvement. It is the same with debasing attitudes and fashions; they corrupt human society. To do away with this corruption, the superior man must regenerate society. His methods likewise must be derived from the two trigrams, but in such a way that their effects unfold in orderly sequence. The superior man must first remove stagnation by stirring up public opinion, as the wind stirs everything, and must then strengthen and tranquillize the character of the people, as the mountain gives tranquillity and nourishment to all that grows in its vicinity.

First (Bottom) Line

Rigid adherence to tradition has resulted in decay. But the decay has not yet penetrated deeply and so can still be easily remedied. It is as if a son were compensating for the decay his father allowed to creep in. Then no blame attaches to the father. However, one must not overlook the danger or take the matter too lightly. Only if one is conscious of the danger connected with every reform will everything go well in the end.

Second Line

This refers to mistakes that as a result of weakness have brought about decay–hence the symbol, "what has been spoiled by the mother. " In setting things right in such a case, a certain gentle consideration is called for. In order not to wound, one should not attempt to proceed too drastically.

Third Line

This describes a man who proceeds a little too energetically in righting the mistakes of the past. Now and then, as a result, minor discourse and annoyances will surely develop. But too much energy is better than too little. Therefore, although he may at times have slight cause for regret, he remains free of any serious blame.

Fourth Line

This shows the situation of someone too weak to take measures against decay that has its roots in the past and is just beginning to manifest itself. It is allowed to run its course. If this continues, humiliation will result.

Fifth Line

An individual is confronted with corruption originating from neglect in former times. He lacks the power to ward it off alone, but with able helpers he can at least bring about a thorough reform, if he cannot create a new beginning, and this also is praiseworthy.

Sixth (Top) Line

Not every man has an obligation to mingle in the affairs of the world. There are some who are developed to such a degree that they are justified in letting the world go its own way and refusing to enter public life with a view to reforming it. But this does not imply a right to remain idle or to sit back and merely criticize. Such withdrawal is justified only when we strive to realize in ourselves the higher aims of mankind. For although the sage remains distant from the turmoil of daily life, he creates incomparable human values for the future.