Chapter Seven: Philosophical Inquiry into Da You — Ten Questions and Answers

Question One: Why is Da You "great" while Xiao Xu is "small"$6

Both have one yin and five yang. The key lies in position: Xiao Xu's yin is in the fourth position (a minister's seat); Da You's yin is in the fifth (the sovereign's seat). The same qualities in different positions produce vastly different results.

Question Two: How can one yielding govern five firm$7

The yielding's virtue lies in capacity and accommodation. The yielding in the place of honor occupies the moral high ground. Without one yielding mediating, five firm would contend internally. Yin provides the center to which yang converges.

Question Three: Why does Modesty follow Da You$8

"Fullness invites diminishment; modesty receives increase." Modesty is not the negation of Da You but its completion. External possession with internal non-possessing (not boasting) is true Great Possession.

Question Four: What is the difference between "fire above heaven" and "heaven above fire"$9

Fire above heaven (Da You): the ruler's virtue spreading down. Heaven above fire (Tong Ren): aspirations reaching up. Da You is the result; Tong Ren is the process. Different orientations produce entirely different meanings.

Question Five: Why does Da You contain no "misfortune" or "regret"$10

Though apparently without misfortune, every line's fortune is conditional. "No blame" requires prerequisites. The noble person should approach Da You with the heart of one who might encounter misfortune — only then can its fortune be preserved.

Question Six: Why is the master line yin$11

The Yijing principle: the rare is valued. One yin stands out among five yang. Yin's nature is to gather; without it, five yang would disperse. Using the yielding to govern the firm is the essential secret of governance.

Question Seven: How do Da You and Qian (Heaven) differ$12

Qian's Top Nine: "arrogant dragon has regret" — the extreme brings decline. Da You's Top Nine: "from Heaven it is blessed" — the extreme brings fortune. Pure yang at the extreme becomes overbearing; one yin tempering it prevents this. "All things carry yin and embrace yang; the rushing vital breath blends them into harmony" (Laozi 42).

Question Eight: Whence comes the "trust" in Da You$13

Trust comes from consistency of word and deed, long accumulation of virtue, institutional guarantee, and Six in the Fifth's inner yielding centrality. The yielding can be empty; emptiness can accommodate; accommodation can trust.

Question Nine: How does Da You understand "time"$14

Each line has its own "time": Initial Nine's time is the beginning (guard with difficulty); Nine in the Second's time is the growing (bear loads); Nine in the Third's is ascending (offer to the sovereign); Nine in the Fourth's is near the extreme (not overbearing); Six in the Fifth's is the center (extend sincerity); Top Nine's is the ultimate (seek Heaven's blessing).

Question Ten: What universal insights does Da You offer$15

Seven eternal principles: (1) govern the firm with yielding, (2) be firm and bright, (3) curb evil and promote good, (4) comply with Heaven, (5) trust is fundamental, (6) know the time and act, (7) flourishing yet modest.