Hexagram 17, line 4
九四Line 4 of Following Along
Nine in the fourth place · 隨 suí
爻辭 The line text
隨有獲，貞凶。有孚在道，以明，何咎。The fourth line, 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?
隨有獲，其義凶也。有孚在道，明功也。'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.
In plain words
Line four is 'followed, and gains' — a strong line just below the ruler, with line three clinging to it. The text turns sharply: even if it is correct, there is danger (貞凶). The small Image explains that in the logic of the hexagram this is dangerous (其義凶也): a minister who has his own following stands in the ruler's light, whatever his intentions. The escape is given in the second half: sincerity, staying on the way, and making it plain (以明) — then 'what blame could there be?' The small Image calls that 'the merit of clarity' (明功也). 程頤 cites the loyal minister whose service is so transparent that no one can doubt whom the followers really serve.
If this line is changing
If people have started to follow you rather than the one you serve, make your loyalty visible and your course transparent; good intentions alone will not clear you.
Where the line stands
- A solid line, yang — written 九 (nine), the number of an old yang line that moves when cast.
- It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.
- It belongs to the upper trigram 兌 Dui (the Joyous) (lake).
- It has no correspondence (無應) with line 1: both lines are yang, so this line must find its support in its neighbours or in itself.
之卦 When this line moves
隨 Following Along becomes ䷂ 3 屯 Sprouting
Thunder under water: a sprout pushing through hard ground. Beginnings are chaotic and effortful; the growth is real, but it needs order and helpers.
What it becomes3 · 屯 SproutingzhūnThe six lines of 隨 Following Along
- 初九Nine at the beginninga change of post · stay correct · beyond the gate
- 六二Six in the second placethe near one · losing the better · cannot have both
- 六三Six in the third placethe grown man · letting go · gain with restraint
- 九四Nine in the fourth placefollowers gained · suspicion · sincerity on the way
- 九五Nine in the fifth placethe ruler · trust in the good · central and correct
- 上六Six at the topbound fast · following exhausted · the western mountain
Read 隨 Following Along for a question about
Questions about this line
- What does Nine in the fourth place of hexagram 17, Following Along, mean?
- Line four is 'followed, and gains' — a strong line just below the ruler, with line three clinging to it. The text turns sharply: even if it is correct, there is danger (貞凶). The small Image explains that in the logic of the hexagram this is dangerous (其義凶也): a minister who has his own following stands in the ruler's light, whatever his intentions. The escape is given in the second half: sincerity, staying on the way, and making it plain (以明) — then 'what blame could there be?' The small Image calls that 'the merit of clarity' (明功也). 程頤 cites the loyal minister whose service is so transparent that no one can doubt whom the followers really serve.
- What does hexagram 17 become when line 4 changes?
- Following Along becomes hexagram 3, 屯 Sprouting: Thunder under water: a sprout pushing through hard ground. Beginnings are chaotic and effortful; the growth is real, but it needs order and helpers.
- Is line 4 of Following Along in its correct place?
- It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).