The Essence of the 'Great Treatise A': A Philosophical Inquiry into the Gentleman's Establishment of Life and the Order of the *Yi*
This article deeply interprets the core proposition from the 'Great Treatise A'—'That which the gentleman dwells in and finds peace is the order of the *Yi*.' It examines how the gentleman, by internalizing the Way of Heaven and Earth and utilizing the *Book of Changes* as the foundation for establishing his life, achieves a state of 'auspiciousness without detriment' through observing the images and contemplating the textual explanations, situated within the Pre-Qin context and the Confucian tradition.
III. Historical Echoes of this Passage in the Han Dynasty
This passage had a profound influence after the Pre-Qin period, extending into the Han Dynasty.
The Records of the Grand Historian, Preface of the Grand Historian (Shi Ji, Tai Shi Gong Zi Xu 史记·太史公自序) states:
"The Yi sets forth the Yin and Yang of Heaven and Earth and the Five Phases, thus it excels in change."
Sima Qian believed the Yi "excels in change"—it is best at discussing transformation. This directly echoes the spirit of "observing their Changes."
Furthermore, the Shi Ji, Biographies of Diviners (Shi Ji, Ri Zhe Lie Zhuan 史记·日者列传) records Sima Jizhu saying:
"Divination is for resolving doubt and settling hesitation. If one already understands clearly and has no doubt, what need is there for divination$1"
"Suo yi jue yi, ding you yu ye (所以决疑，定犹豫)." "For resolving doubt." If one already has no doubts, there is no need for divination. This aligns with the spirit of "He who excels at the Yi does not engage in divination" (Xunzi).