Hexagram 17, Line 4

The Line Text

Interpretation

This line addresses a complex and potentially dangerous situation. The fourth line is the position of a minister close to the ruler (line 5). Being a strong, capable Yang line, it has the potential to attract its own followers and achieve success. The phrase "Following brings success" points to this ability to gain influence and rewards. However, this is immediately followed by the stern warning, "To persist is misfortune." This highlights the great danger of following for purely selfish reasons. If your motivation is opportunistic—to curry favor, build a personal power base, or achieve status—you are on a path to ruin. Such gains are built on a weak foundation and invite suspicion and eventual downfall. The line's wisdom lies in its resolution: "Having sincerity in the Way, and acting with clarity, how can there be blame?" The only way to navigate this situation safely is to shift your focus from personal gain to a higher purpose. Your actions must be rooted in genuine sincerity (孚) and aligned with a correct and noble principle (道). By acting with clarity (明) about your honorable intentions, any success that comes your way will be seen not as the result of ambition, but as the natural fruit of your integrity.

Guidance for Action

You are in a position where your actions can bring you significant gains, but your motives are being tested. It is crucial to examine your intentions with radical honesty. Are you following a person, a project, or a trend for what you can get out of it, or because you genuinely believe in its value? Avoid the temptation of flattery and opportunistic behavior. Success gained through such means is fleeting and dangerous. Instead, ground yourself in your core principles. Act with unwavering integrity and transparency. Let your primary goal be contribution to a worthy cause, not personal advancement. If you remain sincere and clear about your honorable purpose, you can achieve success without blame and turn a potentially perilous situation into a great accomplishment.

For Love & Relationships

This line serves as a warning against relationships founded on ulterior motives. You may be attracted to someone (or they to you) because of status, wealth, security, or social connections. While this "following" might bring apparent "success" or benefits, the line cautions that pursuing or persisting in such a relationship is a recipe for "misfortune." A connection built on what each person can *get* rather than what they can *give* is ultimately hollow. The guidance is to seek "sincerity in the Way." A lasting, blameless relationship must be built on genuine affection, shared values, and honest communication. Be clear about your intentions, both to yourself and to your partner. If you are with someone for the right reasons, the benefits you receive are simply a joyful byproduct of a sincere connection.

For Career & Business

This line speaks directly to the challenges of office politics and ambition. You may find an opportunity to advance by aligning yourself with a powerful superior or a popular team. This can lead to short-term "success"—a promotion, a bonus, or greater influence. However, if this alignment is purely self-serving, it is a perilous strategy ("to persist is misfortune"). You may be seen as a sycophant, and your fate will be tied to the shifting fortunes of the person you follow. The correct path is to follow the mission of the organization or the principles of good work. Dedicate yourself with sincerity to a project you believe in. When your success is a result of your clear, honest, and valuable contributions, no one can blame you for it. Your achievements will be respected and enduring because they are built on integrity, not opportunism.

For Financial Matters

This line cautions against chasing financial "gains" without a solid, principled foundation. It is the classic warning against jumping on a hot stock or speculative investment bandwagon simply because others are profiting. This "following" may yield a quick "success," but the line warns that persisting in such a strategy leads to "misfortune," as bubbles inevitably burst. The advice is to find "sincerity in the Way" for your finances. This means developing a clear investment philosophy based on research, due diligence, and an understanding of real value. Act with clarity and a long-term perspective. When you achieve financial success through a disciplined and principled approach, it is a blameless and sustainable outcome, free from the anxiety and peril of speculative gambling.