Hexagram 17 of 64 · King Wen order
隨Following
Suí · ䷐ · above: Lake ☱ 兌 Duì · below: Thunder ☳ 震 Zhèn
Adapting to the requirements of the time and following what is right rather than forcing one's will.A one-line gloss written for this site (AI-assisted). Everything below it is the classical text.
The Judgment 卦辭
元亨利貞，無咎。
Sui indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. There will (then) be no error.
James Legge, The Yî King (1882), the Text. Words in (parentheses) are Legge's own additions.
Commentary on the Judgment 彖傳 (Tuan, the first Wing)
1. In Sui we see the strong (trigram) come and place itself under the weak; we see (in the two) the attributes of movement and pleasure:—this gives (the idea of) Sui.
2. 'There will be great progress and success; and through firm correctness no error:'—all under heaven will be found following at such a time.
3. Great indeed are the time and significance indicated in Sui.
The Image 象
澤中有雷，隨；君子以嚮晦入宴息。
(The trigram for the waters of) a marsh and (that for) thunder (hidden) in the midst of it form Sui. The superior man in accordance with this, when it is getting towards dark, enters (his house) and rests.
Legge's Great Image (Appendix II). The Chinese above also carries the Small Images of the six lines.
The six lines 爻辭
Read from the bottom (line 1) to the top (line 6). Each line: the Chinese, Legge's translation, and the Small Image commentary on it.
Line 1 初九
The first line from the bottom, yang (solid, nine)
官有渝，貞吉。出門交有功。
The first NINE, undivided, shows us one changing the object of his pursuit; but if he be firm and correct, there will (be) good fortune. Going beyond (his own) gate to find associates, he will achieve merit.
Small Image: 'He is changing the object of his pursuit:'—but if he follow what is correct, there will be good fortune. 'He goes beyond (his own) gate to find associates:'—he will not fail (in the method he pursues).
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 45, Gathering Together.
Line 2 六二
The second line from the bottom, yin (broken, six)
係小子，失丈夫。
The second SIX, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the little boy, and lets go the man of age and experience.
Small Image: 'He cleaves to the little boy:'—he cannot be with the two at the same time.
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 58, The Joyous, Lake.
Line 3 六三
The third line from the bottom, yin (broken, six)
係丈夫，失小子。隨有求得，利居貞。
The third SIX, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the man of age and experience, and lets go the little boy. Such following will get what it seeks; but it will be advantageous to adhere to what is firm and correct.
Small Image: 'He cleaves to the man of age and experience:'—by the decision of his will, he abandons (the youth) below.
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 49, Revolution.
Line 4 九四
The fourth line from the bottom, yang (solid, nine)
隨有獲，貞凶。有孚在道，以明，何咎。
The fourth NINE, undivided, shows us one followed and obtaining (adherents). Though he be firm and correct, there will be evil. If he be sincere (however) in his course, and make that evident, into what error will he fall?
Small Image: 'He is followed and obtains adherents:'—according to the idea (of the hexagram), this is evil. 'He is sincere in his course:'—showing his intelligence, and leading to achievement.
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 3, Difficulty at the Beginning.
Line 5 九五
The fifth line from the bottom, yang (solid, nine)
孚于嘉，吉。
The fifth NINE, undivided, shows us (the ruler) sincere in (fostering all) that is excellent. There will be good fortune.
Small Image: 'He is sincere in fostering what is excellent:'—his position is correct and in the centre.
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 51, The Arousing.
Line 6 上六
The sixth line from the bottom, yin (broken, six)
拘系之，乃從維之。王用亨于西山。
The topmost SIX, divided, shows us (that sincerity) firmly held and clung to, yea, and bound fast. (We see) the king with it presenting his offerings on the western mountain.
Small Image: 'The sincerity is firmly held and clung to, as shown in the topmost line:'—(the idea of the hexagram) has reached its extreme development.
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 25, Innocence.
Related hexagrams
lines 2-4 below, 3-5 aboveOpposite 錯卦18. Work on what has been spoiled 蠱
every line changedInverse 綜卦18. Work on what has been spoiled 蠱
turned upside down
A hexagram is a mirror, not a command: read it to reflect, never to obey. Sources: James Legge (tr.), The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East vol. XVI (Oxford, 1882; 2nd ed. 1899), public domain; the Chinese text from Project Gutenberg ebook #25501 (易經), public domain. The trigram facts and the related hexagrams are computed from the line pattern. The gloss, selection and arrangement are CC-BY-SA-4.0 (PlayfulProcess). Data: github.com/PlayfulProcess/recursive-iching.