HEXAGRAM 4

IGNORANCE

KEY:  UNKNOWN

Hexagram 4 gives the analogy of a relationship between a student and a teacher to show inexperience and ignorance concerning a situation or person. The advice is to not act foolishly or rashly because there is a lack of knowledge and lack of information about a particular subject or person.

You come to me to get answers but nothing has developed yet to give you information. Stop asking the same question or you will only confuse things.  The oracle will stop giving you answers. Only when you have a full understanding of the situation and things start to take off, you will be able to ask the right questions  and proceed.

In some cases it suggests that an ignorant person is involved who does not listen.   They only listen when they are punished and they only learn from their mistakes. If someone does not want to listen and learn from an experienced teacher or advisor then its best to not waste your time. If someone is unwilling to listen and learn then you end up looking like the fool for trying.

With the right approach and the right attitude from everyone involved then things can develop successfully.

HEXAGRAM 4
IGNORANCE

LINES ANALYSIS

LINE 1
If you want to inform and teach an ignorant fool it’s to your advantage to apply discipline and set them straight from the start. Restrictions and limitations that confine someone from learning should be removed. It’s humiliating and doesn’t help to make headway.

LINE 2
It’s auspicious to be supportive and accepting and to not discriminate. You are capable of managing the situation. Be kind, tolerant, patient, polite and understanding towards foolish ignorant people, who did you wrong, or who are against you or having trouble understanding you. Be like a teacher towards young students.

LINE 3
Do not marry a woman who is idealistic and foolish and loses herself by acting improperly when meeting a wealthy man. This is ignorant and immoral behaviour.

LINE 4
Ignorance is bliss. It is the most hopeless thing to see someone become trapped and entangled in a fantasy world and not be able to let go. They have distanced themselves from reality. It would be best to leave the fool alone instead of informing them and spare them the humiliation of waking up to the reality of the situation. Sometimes this is the only means to save someone from further humiliation.

LINE 5
Childlike ignorance is favourable because it has to do with inexperience and not  with being foolish. When someone asks questions to seek knowledge and information, they want to learn and listen so its forgiven.

LINE 6
Ignorance needs to be eliminated through prevention not punishment. It must be done properly without offending the other person so as to prevent wrongdoing from happening again. Nothing will change if you chastise people and it feels like you are punishing them. You can’t punish an ignorant person. It’s like punishing a hardened criminal, they’ll just retaliate. It’s to your advantage to defend yourself against ignorant people in a friendly manner.