Hexagram 4 of 64

Youthful Folly蒙

A spring rises at the foot of the mountain. The noble person acts with resolve and nurtures character.

Upper
Mountain
Lower
Water
Order
4 / 64
Pick a line to read it

亨。匪我求童蒙，童蒙求我。初筮告，再三瀆，瀆則不告。利貞。

Judgment: Success. I do not seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me. The first reading I answer. Asking again and again is disrespect, and I do not answer disrespect. Steadiness pays.

山下出泉，蒙；君子以果行育德。

Image: A spring rises at the foot of the mountain. The noble person acts with resolve and nurtures character.

In plain words

The situation: You cannot see clearly yet, and you have things to learn.

What you can do: Ask someone who knows, and listen.

For culture and reflection only. Our own plain summary, not a translation.

The six lines

  1. 上九擊蒙，不利為寇，利禦寇。Striking at ignorance. It does not help to act as a raider; it helps to guard against raiders.In shortCorrect firmly but fairly; use it to prevent harm, not to attack.
  2. 六五童蒙，吉。Childlike innocence. Good fortune.In shortLearn with an open, childlike mind; this goes well.
  3. 六四困蒙，吝。Trapped in ignorance. Regret.In shortStuck in confusion and not asking for help, you will run into trouble.
  4. 六三勿用取女，見金夫，不有躬，无攸利。Do not take this woman. She sees a man of gold and loses herself. Nothing is gained.In shortDo not lose yourself chasing quick gains; this brings no benefit.
  5. 九二包蒙吉，納婦吉，子克家。Bear with the untaught: good fortune. Take a wife: good fortune. The son can run the household.In shortBe patient with those still learning; you can carry the responsibility, and it goes well.
  6. 初六發蒙，利用刑人，用說桎梏，以往吝。To teach the untaught, it helps to use discipline and remove the shackles. Going on like this brings regret.In shortSet clear rules when starting to learn, but do not be too harsh or it backfires.

Sources Zhou Yi. English by TaoDial.