Nourishment (Yí)

Judgment

颐：贞吉。观颐，自求口实。

Plain Meaning：Nourishment: steadfastness brings fortune. Observe what one nourishes and how one seeks sustenance.

Image (Great Commentary)

山下有雷，颐；君子以慎言语，节饮食。

Line Texts

• 初九舍尔灵龟，观我朵颐，凶。

  Abandoning your magic tortoise to eye my food—misfortune.

• 六二颠颐，拂经，于丘颐，征凶。

  Seeking nourishment upside down and from the hill—advancing brings misfortune.

• 六三拂颐，贞凶，十年勿用，无攸利。

  Nourishment against the way—persistently ominous; ten years of uselessness.

• 六四颠颐吉，虎视眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。

  Seeking nourishment from below to nourish others—intent as a watching tiger; no blame.

• 六五拂经，居贞吉，不可涉大川。

  Against the rule yet abiding steadfastly—fortune; do not cross the great water.

• 上九由颐，厉吉，利涉大川。

  The source of nourishment—aware of the peril, fortune; it profits to cross the great water.

Symbolism

Thunder below the mountain, an open mouth: nourishing body and mind.

Life Lesson

Watch your words and appetites; nourish self and others rightly.

Modern Application

Mind what you consume—food and information; earn your own keep.

Words of Caution

Envying others while wasting your own gifts ends badly.