An Analysis of the Structure, Ethics, and Ontology of the 'Jia Ren' Hexagram in the Zhou Yi

Section 3: Line 9 in the Third: "The Family Utters Harsh Sounds, Regret and Danger follow, yet it is Auspicious. Wife and Children Laugh Merrily, in the end, there is Embarrassment."

Line Statement:

"Line 9 in the Third: The Family utters harsh sounds ($\text{hè hè}$, 嗃嗃), regret and danger follow ($\text{huǐ lì}$, 悔厉), auspicious. Wife and children laugh merrily ($\text{xī xī}$, 嘻嘻), in the end, embarrassment ($\text{lìn}$, 吝)."

Lesser Image Commentary:

"The harsh sounds of the family are not yet a loss. The laughter of wife and children means the loss of family temperance."

Interpretation:

"Hè hè" ($\text{嗃嗃}$) refers to the sound of sternness, the sound of reprimand. "The Family utters harsh sounds" means family members are strictly controlled and frequently scolded. "Regret and danger follow" ($\text{huǐ lì}$): Although excessive strictness may cause regret ($\text{huǐ}$) and carries some danger ($\text{lì}$), it is ultimately auspicious ($\text{jí}$, 吉).

"Xī xī" ($\text{嘻嘻}$): The sound of merry laughter, unrestrained sound. "Wife and children laugh merrily" means the wife and children are giggling and unrestrained, not abiding by the rules. "In the end, embarrassment" ($\text{zhōng lìn}$, 终吝)—ultimately leads to regrettable stinginess or embarrassing failure.

This line statement presents an extremely profound question of family education: How should one choose between sternness and indulgence$13

The answer from Line 9 in the Third is very clear: It is better to be strict than lenient. Even if sternness brings temporary regret and tension, it is ultimately auspicious; conversely, even if indulgence brings temporary joy and ease, it ultimately leads to bad outcomes.

Why$14

Because the family, as a venue for education and order, has a core function: cultivating the virtue and capability of its members (especially the children). Stern discipline, though painful, fosters people with rules, discipline, and principles. Indulgent spoiling, though pleasant, cultivates people without rules, discipline, or principles—such people will be utterly unprepared for future life challenges.

Line 9 in the Third is at the top of the inner trigram, the highest position within the family sphere. As a Yang line in a Yang position, it is strong and vigorous. This line symbolizes the role of the "enforcer" in the family—perhaps a strict father or a rigorous mother. The existence of this role is crucial for maintaining family order.

However, Line 9 in the Third also has its problems: a Yang line in a Yang position can be overly rigid, leading to obstinacy and harshness. That is why the line statement says "regret and danger follow"—there will be regrets and dangers. Yet, the outcome is "auspicious." This is like a strict teacher: students feel pain at the time, but benefit in the long run.

The Lun Yu, Zi Lu records Confucius saying:

"The Master said: 'If you train the people with governance and keep them in line with punishments, they will avoid crime but have no sense of shame. If you guide them with virtue and keep them in line with ritual, they will have a sense of shame and moreover, correct themselves.'"

"If you do not teach the people before sending them to war, this is called abandoning them."

"If you do not teach the people before sending them to war, this is called abandoning them"—sending people to battle without rigorous training is tantamount to abandoning them. Similarly, sending children into life without rigorous education is tantamount to abandoning them. The "harsh sounds" ($\text{hè hè}$) of Line 9 in the Third, though grating to the ear, conceal a profound sense of responsibility.

In contrast, "Wife and children laugh merrily": This means the wife and children are giggling happily, appearing joyful on the surface, but they are in fact "losing family temperance" ($\text{shī jiā jié}$, 失家节)—losing the restraint and rules appropriate for the family. "Temperance" ($\text{jié}$, 节) means restraint and moderation. A family without restraint is like a river without banks—it may look free and unrestrained for a while, but it will eventually flood and cause disaster.

Guanzi, Mu Min states:

"The state has Four Pillars; if one pillar collapses, it leans; if two collapse, it is in danger; if three collapse, it overturns; if all four collapse, it is extinguished. A leaning state can be rectified; a dangerous state can be secured; an overturned state can be raised; an extinguished state cannot be restored. What are the Four Pillars$15 First is Ritual, second is Righteousness, third is Integrity, fourth is Shame."

This applies to a state, and it applies to a family. If a family lacks ritual, righteousness, integrity, and shame, the family will surely perish. The "laughter of wife and children" is the first sign of the erosion of ritual, righteousness, integrity, and shame within the family—it seems joyous, but it is actually perilous.