无妄 Wú wàng Honesty (Without Pretense) [hexagram 25]

Metal element

升 Shēng [46] Advancing upwards; Growing upward

Opposite

大畜 Dà xù [26] Great development; Nurturing the Great

Inverse

渐 Jiàn [53] Gradual development; Progression

Mutual

The Decision

Great success if remain steadfast. If intention is deceitful then there will be trouble and no undertaking is advantageous.

Honesty comes from the strength of the outer becoming the controller of the core. Strength in the middle responds to the weak. ‘Great success when remain steadfast’ – this is the will of Heaven. ‘If intention is deceitful then there will be trouble and no undertaking is advantageous’ – when honesty is lost how can progress be made? How can anything be done against the will of Heaven?

无妄：元亨,利贞. 其匪正有眚,不利有攸往 Wú wàng: yuán hēng, lì zhēn. qí fěi zhèng yǒu shěng, bù lì yǒu yōu wǎng.

无妄, 刚自外来, 而为主于内. 动而健,刚中而应, 大亨以正, 天之命也. 其匪正有眚,不利有攸往. 无妄之往\. 何之矣 ? 天命不佑,行矣哉 ? Wú wàng, gāng zì wài lái, ér wéi zhǔ yú nèi. Dòng ér jiàn, gāng zhōng ér yīng,dà hēng yǐ zhèng,tiān zhī mìng yě. Qí fěi zhèng yǒu shěng, bù lì yǒu yōu wǎng. Wú wàng zhī wǎng, hé zhī yǐ? Tiān mìng bù yòu, xíng yǐ zāi?

The Image

Under the heavens thunder is heard, all things by nature are without falsehood. The ancient rulers gained virtue by harmonizing with the seasons and so nurtured all things.

象传: 天下雷行, 物与无妄; 先王以茂对时, 育万物. Xiàng zhuàn: Tiān xià léi xíng, wù yǔ wú wàng; xiān wáng yǐ mào duì shí, yù wàn wù.

Line Change 1

否 Pǐ [12] Stagnation; Hindrance

Without dishonesty; good progress and good fortune.

‘Without dishonesty’ – make progress towards desired aims.

初九: 无妄,往吉. Chū jiǔ: Wú wàng, wǎng jí.

象传: 无妄之往, 得志也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wú wàng zhī wǎng, dé zhì yě.

Line Change 2

履 Lǚ [10] Cautious advance; Pressing forward

Reaping what you sow, preparing the ground ready for sowing. Any undertaking is advantageous.

‘Reaping what you sow’ – thinking of future rewards.

六二: 不耕获, 不菑畲, 则利有攸往. Liù èr: bù gēng huò, bù zī yú, zé lì yǒu yōu wǎng.

象传: 不耕获,未富也. Xiàng zhuàn: Bù gēng huò, wèi fù yě.

Line Change 3

同人 Tóng rén [13] Companionship; Seeking harmony

Misfortune can afflict the innocent, as when a cow is left tethered. A passerby may steal it and the neighbors could be blamed.

‘A passerby may steal it’ – this would bring misfortune to the neighborhood.

六三: 无妄之灾, 或系之牛, 行人之得, 邑人之灾. Liù sān: wú wàng zhī zāi, huò xì zhī niú, xíng rén zhī dé, yì rén zhī zāi.

象传: 行人得牛,邑人灾也. Xiàng zhuàn: Xíng rén de niú, yì rén zāi yě.

Line Change 4

益 Yì [42] Increase; Gain

If persevere in steadfastness there is no fault.

‘If persevere in steadfastness there is no fault’ – holding fast to principles.

九四: 可贞,无咎. Jiǔ sì: kě zhēn, wú jiù.

象传: 可贞无咎, 固有之也. Xiàng zhuàn: Kě zhēn wú jiù, gù yǒu zhī yě.

Line Change 5

噬嗑 Shì kè [21] Gnawing; Eradication

Even the sincere can be laid low. No medicine needed then joyful recovery.

Medicine for the sincere? This should not be attempted.

九五: 无妄之疾, 勿药有喜. Jiǔ wǔ: Wú wàng zhī jí, wù yào yǒu xǐ.

象传: 无妄之药, 不可试也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wú wàng zhī yào, bù kě shì yě.

Line Change 6

随 Suí [17] Following; Succession

An honest intention can still lead to misfortune. Unfavorable.

‘An honest intention can still lead to misfortune’ – because this may go too far.

上九: 无妄, 行有眚, 无攸利. Shàng jiǔ: Wú wàng, xíng yǒu shěng, wú yōu lì.

象传: 无妄之行, 穷之灾也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wú wàng zhī xíng, qióng zhī zāi yě.