Inner Truth (Zhōng Fú)

Judgment

中孚：豚鱼吉，利涉大川，利贞。

Plain Meaning：Inner truth reaching even pigs and fishes—fortune; it profits to cross the great water with correctness.

Image (Great Commentary)

泽上有风，中孚；君子以议狱缓死。

Line Texts

• 初九虞吉，有它不燕。

  Being prepared and single-hearted brings fortune; divided aims destroy peace.

• 九二鸣鹤在阴，其子和之。我有好爵，吾与尔靡之。

  A crane calls in the shade, its young answers; “I have a good goblet—I will share it with you.”

• 六三得敌，或鼓或罢，或泣或歌。

  Bound to a counterpart: now drumming, now halting, now weeping, now singing—no inner anchor.

• 六四月几望，马匹亡，无咎。

  The moon nearly full; the horse leaves its mate—loyal singleness; no blame.

• 九五有孚挛如，无咎。

  Sincerity binding all together—no blame.

• 上九翰音登于天，贞凶。

  A rooster’s crow mounting to heaven—empty renown; persisting is ominous.

Symbolism

Wind over the lake, felt within: truth from the center that moves all.

Life Lesson

Inner sincerity wins all trust; hollow reputation ends badly.

Modern Application

Credibility—personal or brand—grows from long sincerity, not inflated claims.

Words of Caution

Fame beyond substance cannot last.