Meng · Inexperience
蒙卦 · 山水蒙
- Learning
- Seeking guidance
- Growth
- Uncertainty
The Judgment
Măng (indicates that in the case which it presupposes) there will be progress and success. I do not (go and) seek the youthful and inexperienced, but he comes and seeks me. When he shows (the sincerity that marks) the first recourse to divination, I instruct him. If he apply a second and third time, that is troublesome; and I do not instruct the troublesome. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.
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 flows out at the foot of the mountain. The noble one, in the same way, acts decisively and nurtures character.
山下出泉，蒙。君子以果行育德。
Plain-language reading
Your situation
You cannot yet see the situation clearly. Like a spring that has just come out of the mountain, you have not found your course. Meng is not about being foolish; it is the state of not yet being enlightened. You lack experience and information, so it is easy to keep second-guessing and asking around without getting to the point.
Where to put your effort
Admit that you need to learn, then sincerely seek out the right person to teach you; the first move should be yours. Think a question through before you ask it, and do not keep asking the same thing hoping for a different answer. Find a reliable teacher or a solid method and stay with it, and the fog will lift layer by layer.
Four areas of life
- Career
- Build up your character, then step out and put it to use.
- Wealth
- Mining and resource ventures go well if you act decisively.
- Family
- Good for the noble at home; a marriage is just beginning.
- Health
- Clear away excess heat and you will stay well.
Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.
The six lines
Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.
Nine in the second placeThe second line, undivided, (shows its subject) exercising forbearance with the ignorant, in which there will be good fortune; and admitting (even the goodness of women, which will also be fortunate. (He may be described also as) a son able to (sustain the burden of) his family.Moving
九二：包蒙，吉。纳妇吉。子克家。
Image：The son can manage the household: firm and yielding meet.
- Career
- Wealth and blessing; the next generation can carry on the work.
- Wealth
- Gather goods widely and sell them further afield.
- Family
- A good spouse and dutiful children can revive the family.
- Health
- Gentle stretching exercise.
Nine at the topIn the topmost line, undivided, we see one smiting the ignorant (youth). But no advantage will come from doing him an injury. Advantage would come from warding off injury from him.Moving
上九：击蒙。不利为寇，利御寇。
Image：It helps to defend against intruders: above and below are in harmony.
- Career
- Defend rather than attack, and stay on good terms with others.
- Wealth
- Gain by agreement; deals go through smoothly.
- Family
- Mutual respect keeps the household at peace.
- Health
- Focus on rest and maintenance.
Related hexagrams
Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.
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