Theme
Perseverance
Carried by fifty-five chapters
In the constellation
FurtheringDevotion04 Youthful Folly10 Treading33 Retreat39 Obstruction40 Deliverance56 The Wanderer59 Dispersion34 The Power of the Great58 The Joyous, Lake07 The Army12 Standstill20 Contemplation30 The Clinging, Fire31 Influence36 Darkening of the light52 Keeping Still, Mountain63 After Completion05 Waiting06 Conflict15 Modesty16 Enthusiasm35 Progress37 The Family41 Decrease44 Coming to Meet47 Oppression53 Development03 Difficulty at the Beginning17 Following21 Biting Through22 Grace27 Corners of the Mouth49 Revolution50 The Caldron54 The Marrying Maiden62 Preponderance of the Small01 The Creative09 The Taming Power of the Small11 Peace18 Work on what has been spoiled19 Approach23 Splitting Apart25 Innocence26 The Taming Power of the Great32 Duration42 Increase46 Pushing Upward60 Limitation08 Holding Together13 Fellowship with Men57 The Gentle64 Before Completion02 The Receptive45 Gathering Together61 Inner TruthDurationSupreme SuccessGood FortuneModestySublime SuccessThe Superior ManNo BlameThe Mean
Perseverance is one of the four fundamental attributes of THE CREATIVE, and the most frequently repeated counsel in the whole oracle — usually in the formula "Perseverance furthers" or "Perseverance brings good fortune." Wilhelm gives its literal sense:
... "persevering" (literally, "correct and firm").
It is not stubborn endurance but constancy in what is right. In the scheme that pairs the four attributes with the cardinal virtues, perseverance is matched with wisdom:
The attribute perseverance is correlated with wisdom, which discerns the immutable laws of all that happens and can therefore bring about enduring conditions.
Thus to persevere is to hold fast to the correct course until the time fulfills itself — the discipline that turns a right beginning into a lasting result. It shades naturally into Duration, and is the temper the oracle asks of both the creative and, "quiet perseverance," the receptive.
Where the thread runs
- 01 The Creative
- 02 The Receptive
- 03 Difficulty at the Beginning
- 04 Youthful Folly
- 05 Waiting
- 06 Conflict
- 07 The Army
- 08 Holding Together
- 09 The Taming Power of the Small
- 10 Treading
- 11 Peace
- 12 Standstill
- 13 Fellowship with Men
- 15 Modesty
- 16 Enthusiasm
- 17 Following
- 18 Work on what has been spoiled
- 19 Approach
- 20 Contemplation
- 21 Biting Through
- 22 Grace
- 23 Splitting Apart
- 25 Innocence
- 26 The Taming Power of the Great
- 27 Corners of the Mouth
- 30 The Clinging, Fire
- 31 Influence
- 32 Duration
- 33 Retreat
- 34 The Power of the Great
- 35 Progress
- 36 Darkening of the light
- 37 The Family
- 39 Obstruction
- 40 Deliverance
- 41 Decrease
- 42 Increase
- 44 Coming to Meet
- 45 Gathering Together
- 46 Pushing Upward
- 47 Oppression
- 49 Revolution
- 50 The Caldron
- 52 Keeping Still, Mountain
- 53 Development
- 54 The Marrying Maiden
- 56 The Wanderer
- 57 The Gentle
- 58 The Joyous, Lake
- 59 Dispersion
- 60 Limitation
- 61 Inner Truth
- 62 Preponderance of the Small
- 63 After Completion
- 64 Before Completion