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James Legge, 1899 (public domain)
Kung Fû (moves even) pigs and fish, and leads to good fortune. There will be advantage in crossing the great stream. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.
Chung Fu is inner truth — the sincerity that, the oracle says plainly, moves even pigs and fish: creatures furthest from speech are still reached by it. The emblem in the lines is a crane crying out in her hidden retirement, and her young answering from their own place. Nothing was arranged; the note carried. That is the power offered here — not persuasion, not leverage, but a sincerity in your centre that others answer before they can say why. It will carry you across the great stream. But mind the moon nearly full: truth half-shown, a horse whose fellow disappears. And do not mistake loudness for truth — the chanticleer mounting heaven on his own voice ends in evil.
Line 1
The first line, undivided, shows its subject resting (in himself). There will be good fortune. If he sought to any other, he would not find rest.
Line 2
The second line, undivided, shows its subject (like) the crane crying out in her hidden retirement, and her young ones responding to her. (It is as if it were said), "I have a cup of good spirits, (and the response were), "I will partake of it with you."
Line 3
The third line, divided, shows its subject having met with his mate. Now he beats his drum, and now he leaves off. Now he weeps, and now he sings.
Line 4
The fourth line, divided, shows its subject (like) the moon nearly full, and (like) a horse (in a chariot) whose fellow disappears. There will be no error.
Line 5
The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject perfectly sincere, and linking (others) to him in closest union. There will be no error.
Line 6
The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject in chanticleer (trying to) mount to heaven. Even with firm correctness there will be evil.