蒙
Youthful Folly
La Folie Juvénile
Méng
Upper trigram
Mountain
Lower trigram
Water
The Judgment
Youthful Folly has success. It is not I who seek the young fool, but the young fool who seeks me.
The Image
At the foot of the mountain gushes a spring: the image of Youth. Thus the noble man nourishes his character through thoughtful actions.
Meaning
Learning, innocence, inexperience. The moment calls for humility and openness to instruction.
The six lines
Line 1 (bottom)
To develop the fool, it is advantageous to discipline the man. The fetters must be removed. To continue thus brings humiliation.
Line 2
To bear with fools with kindness brings good fortune. To know how to take women brings good fortune. The son is capable of managing the household.
Line 3
Do not take a maiden who sees a man of bronze. She no longer possesses herself. Nothing advantageous.
Line 4
Stubborn folly brings humiliation.
Line 5
Childlike folly brings good fortune.
Line 6 (top)
In punishing folly, it is not advantageous to commit excesses. It is only advantageous to guard against excesses.