T'ai / Peace

above: K'un The Receptive, Earth
below: Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven

The second [nine], undivided, shows one who can bear with the uncultivated, will cross the Ho without a boat, does not forget the distant, and has no (selfish) friendships. Thus does he prove himself acting in accordance with the course of the due Mean.

The second line is strong, but in an even place. This is supposed to temper the strength of its subject; which is expressed by the first of his characteristics. But the even place is the central; and it is responded to by a proper correlate in the fifth line above. Hence come the symbolism of the paragraph and the auspice of good fortune implied in it.