Annotated Book of Changes · Hexagram 19

lin

Approach

See also: Wilhelm commentary for Hexagram 19

Hexagram Statement

卦辭

經 Classic Text

臨兌下坤上 臨,元亨利貞。至于八月有凶。

Translation

Lin (Approach): Dui below, Kun above.

Approach. Sublime Beginning and Success, Benefit and Correctness. When the eighth month arrives, there will be misfortune.

疏 Kong Yingda's Subcommentary

正義曰:案《序卦》云:「臨,大也。」以陽之浸長,其德壯大,可以監臨於下,故曰臨也。剛既浸長,說而且順,又以剛居中,有應於外,大得亨通而利正也,故曰元亨利貞也。「至于八月有凶」者,以物盛必衰,陰長陽退,臨為建丑之月,從建丑至于八月建申之時,三陰既盛,三陽方退,小人道長,君子道消,故八月有凶也。以盛不可終保,聖人作《易》以戒之也。

Translation

' Because yang gradually grows, its virtue becomes strong and great, and it can oversee and approach those below—hence it is called Approach. Since the firm gradually grows, there is joy and compliance; moreover, the firm occupies the central position and has a correspondent on the outside.

' As for 'When the eighth month arrives, there will be misfortune': things that flourish must inevitably decline; yin grows and yang retreats. The hexagram Lin corresponds to the month of Chou (the second month of winter).

From the month of Chou to the eighth month at the time of Shen, the three yin lines are already flourishing and the three yang lines are in retreat—the way of the petty person grows while the way of the noble person wanes. Therefore the eighth month brings misfortune.

Because prosperity cannot be preserved forever, the sage composed the Changes as a warning.

Unlock Full Scholarly Text

Verify your email to access the complete bilingual translation. We'll send you a one-click verification link.

Free access. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Source: eee-learning.com (易學網) · Edition: 武英殿十三經注疏