Transformation · lines 2, 3, 4, and 5
Treading Carefully becomes Good Manners
What this change means
Fire beneath the mountain: the four middle lines move, and the first and top lines of 22 Good Manners stay still to guide you. The first says success in everyday matters depends on using the resources that are yours, and no more. The top line says your true worth isn't on the outside; it lies in a jewel within you, and others will recognize it. From Treading Carefully, the movement leads to a time when courtesy and kindness bring results, and when ordinary business suits better than great undertakings. So keep things in proportion. Don't borrow what you don't have or dress up what you are. Treat people graciously, handle the daily tasks well, and trust that the substance underneath will be seen. Elegance here is simple, and honesty is its finest ornament.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 22 Good Manners, which stays still
Success in everyday matters now depends on using the resources that are yours, and no more.
Adorning the feet; leaving the carriage and going on foot.
- Line 6 of 22 Good Manners, which stays still
Your true worth isn't on the outside: it lies in the wonderful jewel that lives within you, and others will recognize it.
White adornment. No fault.
- The judgment of 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
- Line 2 of 10 Treading Carefully
Staying on your own with your projects, for now, will lead you to success.
Treading a level, open road. For one who lives apart, constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 3 of 10 Treading Carefully
By overestimating your abilities, you may take on tasks you're not prepared for.
The one-eyed can see, the lame can walk. Stepping on the tiger's tail, and it bites. Misfortune. A warrior acts for the great prince.
- Line 4 of 10 Treading Carefully
You're getting involved in a risky venture, but your inner strength and firmness will help you succeed.
Stepping on the tiger's tail. Wary, wary; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 5 of 10 Treading Carefully
If you're aware of the danger in going ahead and you act with caution, you'll succeed.
A resolute step. Constancy is in danger.
- The judgment of 22 Good Manners
It's a time to be kind and courteous and to use good manners with others if you want good results in what you undertake. What might seem superficial at another time leads you to success now. It's a time to handle everyday matters, not great undertakings.
Success. In small things, it is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
22 Good Manners → 10 Treading Carefullylines 2, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Treading Carefully
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 23The Falllines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 8Unionlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 16Passionlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 7The Armylines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.