Hexagram 4 · Line 1
Youthful Folly — 初九
Meng · Chu Jiu
初九 · Chu Jiu
The Line
To develop the fool, it is favorable to put them under discipline. One should take off the fetters. To continue thus brings humiliation.
Interpretation
At the beginning of education stands the law. The inexperience of youth is inclined at first to take everything casually and playfully. Here the seriousness of life must be shown to it. A certain self-composure, where it is enforced by strict discipline, is good. Whoever plays with life never comes out right. But discipline must not degenerate into drill. Continued drill has a humiliating effect and paralyzes strength.