The Judgment of King Wen - The T'uan.
(Looking at) Ching, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water ofa well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.
1. The first line, divided, shows a well so muddy that men will not drink of it; or an old well to which neither birds (nor other creatures) resort.
€ 'A well so muddy that men will not drink of it:' ‹ this is indicated by the low position (of the line).
'An old well to which the birds do not come:' ‹ it has been forsaken in the course of time.
2. The second line, undivided, shows a well from which by a hole the water escapes and flows away to the shrimps (and such small creatures among the grass), or one the water of which leaks away from a broken basket.
€ 'A well from which by a hole the water escapes, and flows away to the shrimps:' ‹ (the subject of this second line has) none cooperating with him (above).
3. The third line, undivided, shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this, for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it.
€ 'The well has been cleared out, but is not used:' ‹ (even) passers-by would be sorry for this.
4. The fourth line, divided, shows a well, the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error.
€ 'A well the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error:' ‹ the well has been put in good repair.
5. The fifth line, undivided, shows a clear, limpid well, (the waters from) whose cold spring are (freely) drunk.
€ 'The waters from the cold spring are (freely) drunk:' ‹ this is indicated by the central and correct position (of the line).
6. The topmost line, divided, shows (the water from) the well brought to the top, which is not allowed to be covered. This suggests the idea of sincerity. There will be great good fortune.
€ 'The great good fortune' at the topmost place indicates the grand accomplishment (of the idea in the hexagram).
(Looking at) Ching, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water ofa well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.
1. The first line, divided, shows a well so muddy that men will not drink of it; or an old well to which neither birds (nor other creatures) resort.
€ 'A well so muddy that men will not drink of it:' ‹ this is indicated by the low position (of the line).
'An old well to which the birds do not come:' ‹ it has been forsaken in the course of time.
2. The second line, undivided, shows a well from which by a hole the water escapes and flows away to the shrimps (and such small creatures among the grass), or one the water of which leaks away from a broken basket.
€ 'A well from which by a hole the water escapes, and flows away to the shrimps:' ‹ (the subject of this second line has) none cooperating with him (above).
3. The third line, undivided, shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this, for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it.
€ 'The well has been cleared out, but is not used:' ‹ (even) passers-by would be sorry for this.
4. The fourth line, divided, shows a well, the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error.
€ 'A well the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error:' ‹ the well has been put in good repair.
5. The fifth line, undivided, shows a clear, limpid well, (the waters from) whose cold spring are (freely) drunk.
€ 'The waters from the cold spring are (freely) drunk:' ‹ this is indicated by the central and correct position (of the line).
6. The topmost line, divided, shows (the water from) the well brought to the top, which is not allowed to be covered. This suggests the idea of sincerity. There will be great good fortune.
€ 'The great good fortune' at the topmost place indicates the grand accomplishment (of the idea in the hexagram).
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Text source: The I Ching, The Book of Changes. Translated by James Legge.
The Commentary on the Judgments - The T'uan Chuan.
(We have the symbol of) wood in the water and the raising of the water; which (gives us the idea of) a well. A well supplies nourishment and is not (itself) exhausted.
'The site of a town may be changed, while the fashion of its wells undergoes no change:' ‹ this is indicated by the central position of the strong lines (in the second and fifth places).
'The drawing is nearly accomplished, but the rope has not yet reached the water of the well"' ‹ its service has not yet been accomplished.
'The bucket is broken:' ‹ it is this that occasions evil.
The Great Symbolism - The Hsiang Chuan.
[The symbol of] wood and above it that for water form Ching. The superior man, in accordance with this, comforts the people, and stimulates them to mutual helpfulness.
The Commentary on the Judgments - The T'uan Chuan.
(We have the symbol of) wood in the water and the raising of the water; which (gives us the idea of) a well. A well supplies nourishment and is not (itself) exhausted.
'The site of a town may be changed, while the fashion of its wells undergoes no change:' ‹ this is indicated by the central position of the strong lines (in the second and fifth places).
'The drawing is nearly accomplished, but the rope has not yet reached the water of the well"' ‹ its service has not yet been accomplished.
'The bucket is broken:' ‹ it is this that occasions evil.
The Great Symbolism - The Hsiang Chuan.
[The symbol of] wood and above it that for water form Ching. The superior man, in accordance with this, comforts the people, and stimulates them to mutual helpfulness.
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