Following (Suí)

Judgment

随：元亨利贞，无咎。

Plain Meaning：Following: supreme success through correctness—adapt to the times and follow the good, and there is no blame.

Image (Great Commentary)

泽中有雷，随；君子以向晦入宴息。

Line Texts

• 初九官有渝，贞吉。出门交有功。

  Duties change—steadfastness brings fortune; going out to form ties brings achievement.

• 六二系小子，失丈夫。

  Clinging to the little boy, one loses the strong man—choose wisely.

• 六三系丈夫，失小子。随有求得，利居贞。

  Clinging to the strong man, letting the boy go—following brings gains; abide in correctness.

• 九四随有获，贞凶。有孚在道，以明，何咎。

  Following with gains—claiming them is perilous; sincerity on the right path with clarity, what blame?

• 九五孚于嘉，吉。

  Sincere toward the good—fortune.

• 上六拘系之，乃从维之。王用亨于西山。

  Bound and held fast in allegiance; the king offers sacrifice on the Western Mountain.

Symbolism

Thunder within the lake: joyful movement—adapting and following the good.

Life Lesson

Following is not blind: follow the good and stay upright.

Modern Application

Align with trends and the right people; forgo small gains for greater rightness.

Words of Caution

Attaching to the wrong person costs what matters most.