The Corners of the Mouth
"Thunder beneath the mountain. Pay attention to what you take in and what you say."
The Judgment
The Corners of the Mouth. Perseverance brings good fortune. Pay heed to the providing of nourishment and to what a man seeks to fill his own mouth with.
Original Text
贞吉。观颐，自求口实。
The Image
Thunder at the foot of the mountain: The image of Providing Nourishment. Thus the superior man is careful of his words and temperate in eating and drinking.
Original Text
山下有雷，颐；君子以慎言语，节饮食。
The Lines
Nine at the Beginning初九
"You let your magic tortoise go, and look at me with corners of the mouth drooping. Misfortune."
Envying others when you have enough leads to misfortune.
Original: 舍尔灵龟，观我朵颐，凶。
Six at the Place 2六二
"Turning to the summit for nourishment, deviating from the path. To seek nourishment from the hill. Setting out to bring misfortune."
Seeking help from the wrong source is humiliating.
Original: 颠颐，拂经，于丘颐，征凶。
Six at the Place 3六三
"Turning away from nourishment. Perseverance brings misfortune. Do not act thus for ten years. Nothing furthers."
Ignoring proper nourishment leads to long-term failure.
Original: 拂颐，贞凶，十年勿用，无攸利。
Six at the Place 4六四
"Turning to the summit for nourishment brings good fortune. Spying about with sharp eyes like a tiger with insatiable craving. No blame."
Seeking help from above for the benefit of all is good.
Original: 颠颐，吉。虎视眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。
Six at the Place 5六五
"Turning away from the path. To remain persevering brings good fortune. One should not cross the great water."
Stay where you are and rely on your superiors. Do not take big risks.
Original: 拂经，居贞吉，不可涉大川。
Nine at the Top上九
"The source of nourishment. Awareness of danger brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water."
You are responsible for nourishing others. Great tasks can be achieved.
Original: 由颐，厉吉，利涉大川。