Innocence (Wú Wàng)

Judgment

无妄：元，亨，利，贞。其匪正有眚，不利有攸往。

Plain Meaning：Innocence: great success through correctness; deviation brings misfortune—do not act against the true.

Image (Great Commentary)

天下雷行，物与无妄；先王以茂对时，育万物。

Line Texts

• 初九无妄，往吉。

  Innocent action—going brings fortune.

• 六二不耕获，不菑畬，则利有攸往。

  Plowing without eyeing the harvest—acting without calculation furthers.

• 六三无妄之灾，或系之牛，行人之得，邑人之灾。

  Undeserved misfortune: a tethered ox taken by a passerby, blame falling on the villagers.

• 九四可贞，无咎。

  Able to remain steadfast—no blame.

• 九五无妄之疾，勿药有喜。

  An illness not of your making—use no medicine, and there is joy.

• 上九无妄，行有眚，无攸利。

  Even innocent action now brings harm—nothing furthers; hold still.

Symbolism

Thunder under heaven: all things true to their nature.

Life Lesson

Act without scheming; meet undeserved trouble calmly; stop when the time closes.

Modern Application

Work honestly, don’t gamble on luck; keep composure under undeserved setbacks.

Words of Caution

Impure motives invite calamity.