What is your favorite line?

[sooo]

I think maybe that's more an issue with the Victorian translator (without whom this conversation probably wouldn't be happening) - and his idea of a rhyme scheme - than the Dazhuan.

Try Lynn's version:

'In the Dao of a noble man,
There's a time for going forth
And a time for staying still,
A time to remain silent
And a time to speak out.
But for two people to share mind and heart,
Such sharpness severs metal,
And the words of those sharing mind and heart,
Such fragrance is like orchids.'

Nicer. Is it supposed to be nice, or like sharp steel? It does remind me of (forgive me for going into a different text altogether here, but the idea seems so much alike) Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

That's of courseth the King James translation, which as we once agreed is the Yijing equivalent of the Wilhelm/Baynes translation.

Life leads the thoughtful man on a path of many windings.
Now the course is checked, now it runs straight again.
Here winged thoughts may pour freely forth in words,
There the heavy burden of knowledge must be shut away in silence.
But when two people are at one in the inmost hearts,
They shatter even the strength of iron or of bronze.
And when two people understand each other in their inmost hearts,
Their words are sweet and strong, like the fragrance of orchids.

Strange as it seems coming from Wilhelm (and/or Baynes), seems the more gentle and even femininely poetic, which leads me to think Cary had her delicate hand in it.

 

[Pearlescent]

I too appreciate 42.5, the beautiful line which assures you not to question as kindness is your virtue. That line really moves me no matter how it comes up, or for whom. Interestingly I cast it when I asked Yi if I should start this thread! And I'm happy to see it really went somewhere. At the same time, I'm definitely not going to assume that reading describes me in my entirety. I've gotten 27.1 more than enough times to do that lol

 

[svenrus]

The Master said:
The Tao of the True Gentleman
is thus.
A going out,
And a staying still;
A silence,
And a speaking.
When two share Heart-and-Mind,
Their strength
Can split bronze asunder.
Words uttered from shared minds
Are fragant as orchids.

John Minford: comment on hex. 13.5
------------

"Indoors or out,
with words or without,
two minds in one mould
are finer than gold:
in converse blend,
rare as orchid scent."

Richard Rutt. Dazhuan I, part I, VIII. p. 414, Zhouyi, Routledge, 2007

-----------------

"Confucius said: "The way of the gentleman, whether going out or dwelling, whether silent or conversing, is that when two men are of the same heart their benefit will cut metal. As for the speech of united men, its fragrance is like that of the orchid.""

Edward L. Shaughnessy, I Ching (Mawangdui texts), Appended statements, p. 195, Ballantine books, N.Y. 1997

 

[rodaki]

For rodaki's earlier post:

1.5
Flying dragon in the heaven.
It furthers one to see the great man.

2.5
A yellow under garment brings supreme good fortune.

hi Rosada

 

[sooo]

I too appreciate 42.5, the beautiful line which assures you not to question as kindness is your virtue. That line really moves me no matter how it comes up, or for whom. Interestingly I cast it when I asked Yi if I should start this thread! And I'm happy to see it really went somewhere. At the same time, I'm definitely not going to assume that reading describes me in my entirety. I've gotten 27.1 more than enough times to do that lol

Really, I have no favorite lines, per se. My favorite is the one that bonks me on the head and changes my outlook, and that includes them all at one time or another.

 

[arimoshe]

This is such a fun thread. I really like 42.1: it furthers one to accomplish great deeds. Supreme good fortune.
I got this once as an encouragement to move forward with a particular choice that ended up being very life altering. The utter 'yes' quality to this line dispelled all doubts. Not all lines are that straightforward!

 

[knotxx]

coming late to this thread, sent by hilary's email. I was thinking "it's funny no one has mentioned what is OBVIOUSLY the best line" (a ridiculous thought--we are all so different): 14.5-1. Which to me says "You are heard."

'‘Your truth now communicating, now striking awe.
Good fortune.

(I also love what is almost the opposite of this line, on a number of scales: 2.2-7)

But I am also very fond of 14.6, which comes with enormous relief--like, you're at the end of your own strength, and heaven steps in to give you that last little boost of strength:

‘'From heaven comes its help and protection.
Good fortune.
Nothing that does not bring harvest.’'

Finally, since I spend such masses of time in the world of 38, 38.6 is such a comforting line to me. It all looks s terrifying, but look, no it's all okay:

'Opposed, alone.
Seeing pigs covered in muck,
Full of ghosts, the one chariot.
At first tensing your bow,
Then relaxing the bow.
Not robbers at all, but matrimonial allies.
Going on meets the rain, and so there is good fortune.'

 

[Tim K]

My favourites:
26.6 → 11 (Prospering), Crowley: Then rule the stars - good fortune aid thine art!
Wilhelm: One attains the way of heaven. Success.

53.6 → 39 (Obstacles), Crowley: See on broad heights their feathers glittering.

18.6 → 46 (Ascending), Legge: Shows us one who does not serve either king or feudal lord, but in a lofty spirit prefers (to attend to) his own affairs.

 

[butterfly spider]

Ashterroid how odd
I saw this thread earlier today and was pondering which was my most favourite line. I decided on my favourite line and just went to the last comment - yours

My favourite line like you is 26.6 - as 26 tells me that I am in the place I am meant
to be and that whilst it might not be perfect there is a friendly hand holding me to keep me safe
26.6 tells me that all will be well

Strange we like the same line at te same time!!