The Story

At the start of a long march, a young drummer struck a rhythm. The tired column lifted its heads. Feet found the beat. A song began somewhere in the middle and travelled to the end. The drummer did not strike louder when others joined; he kept his measure. Twenty miles on, the column arrived still singing. The general, who had seen armies break on marches half as long, remarked: "One drum does not move a column. But a drum that keeps time lets the column move itself." Enthusiasm rightly struck is not noise — it is the rhythm by which many become one.

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The Judgment

It furthers one to install helpers and to set armies marching.

The Image

Thunder comes resounding out of the earth: the image of enthusiasm. Thus the ancient kings made music in order to honor merit, and offered it with splendor to the Supreme Deity.

Interpretation

Thunder rising from the earth — stored energy finding its release. The figure concerns the rousing of collective spirit through timing, ritual, music, and shared cause. Enthusiasm is powerful but short-lived; it must be organised the moment it rises or it will dissipate.

Trigrams

The Six Lines

1. First (Bottom) Enthusiasm that expresses itself brings misfortune. Trumpeting one's mood rather than channelling it.
2. Second Firm as a rock. Not a whole day. Perseverance brings good fortune. The one who neither sways with the crowd nor lingers — sees the moment clearly and acts.
3. Third Enthusiasm that looks upward brings remorse. Hesitation brings remorse. Second-guessing a real moment; decide and act.
4. Fourth The source of enthusiasm. He achieves great things. Do not doubt. You gather friends around you as a hair clasp gathers the hair. Conviction draws others in naturally.
5. Fifth Persistently ill, and still does not die. Long malaise that does not kill but does not clear; endure, do not force.
6. Sixth (Top) Deluded enthusiasm. But if after completion one changes, there is no blame. Caught up in excess, but course-correction is still possible.