| | 繫辭上: |
易有聖人之道四焉；以言者尚其辭，以動者尚其變，以制器者尚其象，以卜筮者尚其占。以君子將有為也，將有行也，問焉而以言，其受命也如響，无有遠近幽深，遂知來物。非天下之至精，其孰能與於此。 |
| Xi Ci I: |
In the Yi there are four things characteristic of the way of the sages. We should set the highest value on its explanations to guide us in speaking; on its changes for (the initiation of) our movements; on its emblematic figures for (definite action as in) the construction of implements; and on its prognostications for our practice of divination. Therefore, when a superior man is about to take action of a more private or of a public character, he asks (the Yi), making his inquiry in words. It receives his order, and the answer comes as the echo's response. Be the subject remote or near, mysterious or deep, he forthwith knows of what kind will be the coming result. (If the Yi) were not the most exquisite thing under heaven, would it be concerned in such an operation as this? |
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參伍以變，錯綜其數，通其變，遂成天下之文。極其數，遂定天下之象。非天下之至變，其孰能與於此。易无思也，无為也，寂然不動，感而遂通天下之故。非天下之至神，其孰能與於此。 |
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(The stalks) are manipulated by threes and fives to determine (one) change; they are laid on opposite sides, and placed one up, one down, to make sure of their numbers; and the (three necessary) changes are gone through with in this way, till they form the figures pertaining to heaven or to earth. Their numbers are exactly determined, and the emblems of (all things) under the sky are fixed. (If the Yi) were not the thing most capable of change of all things under heaven, how could it effect such a result as this? In (all these operations forming) the Yi, there is no thought and no action. It is still and without movement; but, when acted on, it penetrates forthwith to all phenomena and events under the sky. If it were not the most spirit-like thing under the sky, how could it be found doing this? |
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夫易，聖人之所以極深而研幾也。唯深也，故能通天下之志。唯幾也，故能成天下之務。唯神也，故不疾而速，不行而至。子曰：「易有聖人之道四焉」者，此之謂也。 |
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The (operations forming the) Yi are the method by which the sages searched out exhaustively what was deep, and investigated the minutest springs (of things). 'Those operations searched out what was deep:' - therefore they could penetrate to the views of all under the sky. 'They made apparent the minutest springs of (things):' - therefore they could bring to a completion all undertakings under the sky. 'Their action was spirit-like:' - therefore they could make speed without hurry, and reached their destination without travelling. This is the import of what the Master said, that 'In the Yi there are four things indicating the way of the sages.' |
