Youthful Folly
"The student seeks the teacher. One asks, and is answered. Do not ask twice."
The Judgment
Youthful Folly has success. It is not I who seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me. At the first oracle I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity. If he importunes, I give him no information. Perseverance furthers.
Original Text
亨。匪我求童蒙，童蒙求我。初筮告，再三渎，渎则不告。利贞。
The Image
A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain: The image of Youth. Thus the superior man fosters his character by thoroughness in all that he does.
Original Text
山下出泉，蒙；君子以果行育德。
The Lines
Six at the Beginning初六
"To make a fool develop. It furthers one to apply discipline. The fetters should be removed. To go on in this way brings humiliation."
Discipline is needed at the start, but it should not be excessive.
Original: 发蒙，利用刑人，用说桎梏，以往吝。
Nine at the Place 2九二
"To bear with fools in kindliness brings good fortune. To know how to take women brings good fortune. The son is capable of taking charge of the household."
Be patient with the ignorant. Tolerance leads to success.
Original: 包蒙吉。纳妇吉。子克家。
Six at the Place 3六三
"Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze, loses possession of herself. Nothing furthers."
Do not be seduced by wealth or power. Maintain your dignity.
Original: 勿用取女，见金夫，不有躬，无攸利。
Six at the Place 4六四
"Entangled folly brings humiliation."
Ignorance isolates you. You must seek to learn.
Original: 困蒙，吝。
Six at the Place 5六五
"Childlike folly brings good fortune."
An innocent, open mind allows for learning. Humility brings success.
Original: 童蒙，吉。
Nine at the Top上九
"In punishing folly it does not further one to commit transgressions. The only thing that furthers is to prevent transgressions."
Correction should be defensive, not aggressive. Teach, do not attack.
Original: 击蒙，不利为寇，利御寇。