Do not doubt the Oracle – It will answer only once
Hexagram 4, The Youthful Folly, at times seems to imply the investor’s doubt about the I CHING and the I CHING’s contempt for the investor’s attitude. The I CHING also gives the investor an important warning: because the investor goes to the I CHING to ask for advice rather than the I CHING going to the investor, it is the investor’s duty to pay close attention and ask the question only once. It is typical of some investors to ask the oracle the same question again and again. When that happens, the I CHING will only play with the investor and sometimes even confuse him on purpose. When the I CHING tells the investor at first that an investment is bad, he should look for another and not insist with more questions about the same investment. After all, there are over 15,000 investments to choose from in the market. The I CHING is very clear and very definite in its answers to the investor. The I CHING will not help the investor who shows doubt.
The I CHING says “A teacher’s answer to the question of a pupil ought to be clear and definite like that expected from an oracle; thereupon it ought to be accepted as a key for resolution of doubts and a basis for decision. If mistrustful or unintelligent questioning is kept up, it serves only to annoy the teacher. He does well to ignore it in silence, just as the oracle gives one answer only and refuses to be tempted by questions implying doubt.”
