Hexagram 17: Following
隨Suí
Knowing when to follow.
The passages below are historical language. Their references to fortune, danger, and the exemplary person belong to the text’s world. Our modern explanation is an invitation to reflect on your situation.
The Judgment
Classical Chinese
隨。 元亨，利貞，無咎。
Our English rendering
Following. Great success. Steadfastness is favorable. No blame.
The Image
Classical Chinese
象曰：澤中有雷，隨。君子以向晦入宴息。
Our English rendering
Thunder lies within the lake: Following. A person of integrity therefore goes indoors to rest as evening approaches.
A modern reading
Thunder rests within the lake, and the Image turns toward evening. A person follows that change by going indoors to rest. The action is ordinary and timed to a condition outside the person's wishes. This gives Following a useful physical example: response can be appropriate because the situation has changed. In a present undertaking, notice whether the pace you are maintaining still fits the people, resources, and stage of work around you.
The Judgment retains steadfastness alongside following, giving responsiveness a continuing point of reference. A contemporary reflection can examine what you are choosing to follow and why it deserves that choice. Another person's lead, an agreed process, or a changing circumstance can each call for a different response. The evening image also gives rest a legitimate place in that response. Stopping at a suitable time can help preserve the capacity to participate again.
A question to sit with
What change in the situation calls for an adjustment in your pace or role today?
Source and method
The Judgment and Image are classical passages from the Book of Changes. The English rendering and modern explanation are Meow Ching’s editorial work. This page covers these two passages; it does not translate the six individual line texts.
Read the classical text on Wikisource · Our sources and method