27. I / The Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment)
above Kên Keeping Still, Mountain
below Chên The Arousing, Thunder
The Judgement
The Corners of the Mouth.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Pay heed to the providing of nourishment.
And to what a man seeks
To fill his own mouth with.
The Image
At the foot of the mountain, thunder:
The image of Providing Nourishment.
Thus the superior man is careful of his words
And temperate in eating and drinking.
The Lines
Change at the beginning means:
You let your magic tortoise go,
And look at me with the corners of your mouth drooping.
Misfortune.
Change in the second place means:
Turning to the summit for nourishment,
Deviating from the path
To seek nourishment from the hill.
Continuing to do this brings misfortune.
Change in the third place means:
Turning away from nourishment.
Perseverance brings misfortune.
Do not act thus for ten years.
Nothing serves to further.
Change in the fourth place means:
Turning to the summit
For provision of nourishment
Brings good fortune.
Spying about with sharp eyes
Like a tiger with insatiable craving.
No blame.
Change in the fifth place means:
Turning away from the path.
To remain persevering brings good fortune.
One should not cross the great water.
Change at the top means:
The source of nourishment.
Awareness of danger brings good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
