In the way of leisure and enthusiasm, unrestrained indulgence causes the loss of correctness; thus most lines in Enthusiasm fail to attain correctness, their talents conforming to the times.
Only the Six in the Second Place line dwells in central correctness and has no resonance, presenting the image of self-preservation.
In the time of Enthusiasm, it alone can preserve itself through central correctness, which can be called an exceptionally upright character, its steadfast integrity as hard as rock. 'Firm as a rock' means its firmness is like stone.
In the presence of enthusiastic joy, the human heart delights in it, lingering on until it becomes addicted and unable to stop.
The second line preserves itself through central correctness, its firmness like stone, departing with such speed that it does not wait for a whole day to end; hence it is correct and auspicious.
Residing in enthusiasm, one must not remain secure and lingering for long; linger too long, and one is drowned. A line like the second may be called one who perceives the subtle impulses and acts.
The Master, because of the second line's perceiving the subtle impulses, spoke to the utmost of the way of knowing the subtle: 'To know the subtle impulses—is that not divine?
The gentleman is not flattering in his relations with superiors, nor disrespectful in his relations with inferiors. Does he not know the subtle impulses? A subtle impulse is the minuscule beginning of movement, the earliest manifestation of good fortune.
The gentleman perceives the subtle impulse and acts without waiting for the day to end. The Changes says: Firm as a rock, not waiting for the day to end; perseverance brings good fortune. Firm as stone—why wait a whole day? The judgment is clearly discernible.
The gentleman knows the subtle and the manifest, knows the soft and the firm; he is the hope of myriad men.' Perceiving the subtle beginnings of things—how divine and wondrous!
The reason the gentleman is not flattering to superiors nor disrespectful to inferiors is that he knows the subtle impulses. If one does not know the subtle impulses, one goes to extremes and cannot stop.
Interacting with superiors requires reverence and deference; if carried to excess, it becomes flattery. Interacting with inferiors requires harmony and ease; if carried to excess, it becomes disrespect. The gentleman perceives the subtle beginnings, so he does not reach excess.
The so-called subtle impulse is the minuscule origin of incipient action, the tipping point of good fortune and misfortune that can be perceived before it becomes manifest. Mentioning only good fortune is because perceiving it beforehand prevents misfortune from ever arising.
The gentleman is clear and discerning, seeing the subtle beginnings of affairs; hence his integrity is firm as a rock. Since his defense is steadfast, he is unconfused and luminous; seeing the subtle impulses and acting, how could he wait for a whole day?
'断' (duàn) means to discern; the distinction is plainly evident. The subtle and the manifest, the soft and the firm, stand in opposition. When the gentleman sees the subtle, he knows the manifest; seeing the soft, he knows the firm.
Knowing the subtle impulses in this way, he is revered by the multitude; hence he is praised as 'the hope of myriad men.'