Inner Truth

虞吉，有它不燕。

Careful judgment is favorable. Another aim brings no peace.

Line 1 favors careful judgment about trust, while a competing aim disturbs peace. Its change makes Water below Wind, Hexagram 59. The contrast pairs undivided attention with dispersion.

鳴鶴在陰，其子和之。我有好爵，吾與爾靡之。

A crane calls in the shade, and its young answers. I have a fine cup; I will share it with you.

The crane’s call receives an answer from its young; the shared cup extends the image of response. Changing Line 2 makes Thunder below Wind, Hexagram 42. Increase offers a theme to compare with this exchange between those who respond to one another.

得敵，或鼓或罷，或泣或歌。

Meeting a counterpart: now beating the drum, now stopping; now weeping, now singing.

A counterpart prompts alternating action and emotion in Line 3: drumming and stopping, weeping and singing. Its change makes Heaven below Wind, Hexagram 9. The theme of small restraint contrasts with those swings.

月幾望，馬匹亡，无咎。

The moon is nearly full. The horse loses its mate. No fault.

The nearly full moon appears beside a horse separated from its mate, yet Line 4 receives no fault. Its change makes Heaven above Lake, Hexagram 10. Conduct offers a second theme beside the source’s image of separation.

有孚攣如，无咎。

Trust binds close. No fault.

Trust binds closely at the governing center, Line 5, and there is no fault. Its change makes Mountain above Lake, Hexagram 41. The comparison sets a close bond beside the theme of decrease.

翰音登于天，貞凶。

A cock's call rises to heaven. Constancy brings misfortune.

A cock’s call reaches heaven in Line 6, an image traditionally read as a claim beyond its substance. Changing it makes Water above Lake, Hexagram 60. Measured limits provide a contrast to the excessive height of the call.