I Ching Quotes (62 Quotes)

Man should observe the strictest self-restraint and reserve in dangerous times. In this way he incurs neither injury from antagonists with designs on pre-eminence nor obligations to others.

Great progress and success can be realized. But spring does not last forever, and the favorable trend will reverse itself in due time. The wise man foresees evil and handles its threat accordingly.

The man is indecisively unable to deal with adversity and is oppressed by something which should not oppress him. He leans on things like thorns and thistles, which are hazardous yet cannot support him.

When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.

Water, everywhere over the earth, flows to join together. A single natural law controls it. Each human is a member of a community and should work within it.

Before the beginning of great brilliance, there must be chaos. Before a brilliant person begins something great, they must look foolish in thecrowd.

Creativity comes from awakening and directing men's higher natures, which originate in the primal depths of the universe and are appointed by Heaven.

Governing a large organization requires timely activity and discreet inactivity on the part of the chief executive. One must be particularly sensitive to promising circumstances, talented men, and the right objectives.

Unity requires a collective moral force, together with a great leader. Ancestors unite the clan, and heaven unites nature. With unity the time is right for great deeds.

Punishment should not be meted out in anger. It must fulfill the purpose of preventing unreasonable excesses by others.

That which is bright rises twice The image of fire. Thus the great man, by perpetuating this brightness, Illumines the four quarters of the world.

There is always danger in circumstances of abundance. The inferior man pushes forward through excessive ambition, thereby losing touch with men of talent and virtue in positions below him.

The creative works sublime success, Furthering through perseverance.

A person should contemplate the workings of the universe with reverence and introspection. In this way expression is given to the effects of these laws upon his own person. This is the source of a hidden power.

The Wanderer finds success through smallness. Perseverance brings good fortune to The Wanderer.

One should act in consonance with the way of heaven and earth, which is enduring and eternal. The superior man perseveres long in his course, adapts to the times, but remains firm in his direction and correct in his goals.

Arrogance means that one knows how to press forward But not how to draw back, that one knows existence but not annihilation, knows something about winning but nothing about losing.

Men are deceived by what the eyes see, But the gods are swayed by what the heart conceals.

At the outset, a righteous cause, as well as a proper method for conducting the war, is essential for military success.

The man is quiet, but firm as a rock, yet sensitive to the first imperceptible signs of impending changes. He does not delay in taking action.

Heaven and water go their opposite ways The image of CONFLICT. Thus in all his transactions the superior man Carefully considers the beginning.

Calmness and irony are the only weapons worthy of the strong.

The superior man, when he stands alone, is unconcerned, and if he has to renounce the world, he is undaunted.

The kind man discovers it and calls it kind. The wise man discovers it and calls it wise. The people use it day by day and are not aware of it, for the way of the superior man is rare.

If one is not extremely careful, Somebody may come up from behind and strike him. Misfortune.

A person in danger should not try to escape at one stroke. He should first calmly hold his own, then be satisfied with small gains, which will come by creative adaptations.

The Creative knows the great beginnings. The receptive completes the finished things.

Adversity breaks the inferior man's will but only bends the superior man's spirit. Outward influence is denied the great man, who accordingly uses words sparingly but retains his central position.

Secret forces are bringing compatible spirits together. If the man permits himself to be led by this ineffable attraction, good fortune will come his way. When deep friendships exist, formalities and elaborate preparations are not necessary.

The quiet and solitary man apprehends the inscrutable. He seeks nothing, holds to the mean, and remains free from entanglements.

Indecision regarding the choice among pleasures temporarily robs a man of inner peace. After due reflection, he attains joy by turning away from the lower pleasures and seeking the higher ones.

Modesty is at the core of the man's being and reveals itself in his outward behavior.

It is an inexorable Law of Nature that bad must follow good, that decline must follow a rise. To feel that we can rest on our achievements is a dangerous fallacy. Inner strength can overcome anything that occurs outside.

When thunder comes it relieves the tension and promotes positive action. Music can do the same by making people enthusiastic and united together. When used to promote good it brings them closer to heaven.

He will succeed if he remains firm in principle and goes Beyond selfish considerations to mingle freely with those who do not share his feelings, as well as those who do.

If you are sincere, you have success in your heart, and whatever you do succeeds.

Use no medicine in an illness Incurred through no fault of your own. It will pass of itself.

Perseverance alone does not assure success. No amount of stalking will lead to game in a field that has none.

The choice must be made between the path of public acclaim and the path of obscurity and introspection. Each person must make their own choice.

Dreams are the wanderings of the spirit though all nine heavens and all nine earths.

On average, an infant laughs nearly two hundred times a day an adult, only twelve. Maybe they are laughing so much because they are looking at us. To be able to preserve joyousness of heart and yet to be concerned in thought in this way we can determine good fortune and misfortune on earth, and bring to perfection everything on earth.

The universe is moved by a power which cycles endlessly from day to day. Such greatness endures for all time. As in heaven, so on earth.

A clear-cut case meets with difficulty because of a tendency to be lenient. The man must be as true as gold and as impartial as the mean.

Instead of solid accomplishments, the man pursues pleasures and self-gratification. He will never achieve anything so long as he is surrounded by dissipating temptations.

The sage, who is living outside the routine of the world, contemplates his own character, not as an isolated ego manifestation, but in relation to the laws of life. He judges freedom from blame to be the highest good.

Defeat ensues when others interfere with the authority of the chosen leader. Divided command is often fatal.

The great man with vigor should demand the rightness of things, timeliness of action, and propriety of method. In this way, power does not degenerate into sheer force.

He who possesses the source of Enthusiasm Will achieve great things. Doubt not. You will gather friends around you As a hair clasp gathers the hair.

When things are going well it is all too easy to become overconfident and not give proper attention to one's duties. If this tendency is recognized early it may be corrected and no harm will be done.

A proper balance must be struck between indulgence and severity. However, severity, despite occasional mistakes, is preferable to a lack of discipline.