易者易知，簡者易從 (Yì zhě yì zhī, jiǎn zhě yì cóng)
Source: The Book of Changes (易經, Yì Jīng), Commentary on the Appended Phrases (繫辭傳, Xì Cí Zhuàn), Part I.
| Key Term | Traditional Chinese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Easy / change (the first "易") | 易 (Yì) | In this context, "easy" (accessible) – note the same character means "change" in Yijing |
| Simple | 簡 (Jiǎn) | Uncomplicated, straightforward |
| To know / to understand | 知 (Zhī) | To comprehend intellectually |
| To follow / to practice | 從 (Cóng) | To put into action, to comply with |
| The Creative (Heaven) | 乾 (Qián) | The active, initiating principle |
| The Receptive (Earth) | 坤 (Kūn) | The passive, responding principle |
Combined Meaning (整體意義)
When these two phrases are brought together (as they sometimes are in later writings), they convey a unified message: The natural world operates with silent, effortless regularity, and the principles of change and action are inherently easy and simple. One does not need to struggle or force things. By aligning with the natural way (天道) and practicing what is easy and simple (易簡之理), one can live in harmony with the cosmos. This idea is central to both Confucian self-cultivation and Daoist naturalism.
The phrase "易者易知，簡者易從" comes from the first chapter of the Commentary on the Appended Phrases in the Book of Changes. It says that what is accessible is easy to understand, and what is simple is easy to follow. The text explains that the principles of the universe, like the Creative (Heaven) and Receptive (Earth), are easy and simple, and by aligning with this natural simplicity, one can live in harmony with the world.(漢籍網)(维基文库)(vocus)
此语出自 《周易·系辞上》 (Xì Cí Zhuàn, Shàng) 。其上下文主要阐释“乾 (Qián) / 坤 (Kūn)”，以及“易 (yì) / 简 (jiǎn)”两种宇宙法则，核心段落如下：
乾知大始，坤作成物。乾以易知，坤以简能。易则易知，简则易从。易知则有亲，易从则有功。有亲则可久，有功则可大。可久则贤人之德，可大则贤人之业。易简而天下之理得矣；天下之理得，而成位乎其中矣。
The Creative principle knows the great beginning; the Receptive principle brings all things to completion. The Creative is easy to understand; the Receptive is capable through simplicity. What is easy is easy to know; what is simple is easy to follow. If it is easy to know, there is closeness; if it is easy to follow, there is achievement. If there is closeness, it can endure; if there is achievement, it can be great. What endures is the virtue of a sage; what is great is the accomplishment of a sage. By being easy and simple, the principles of the world are grasped; once the principles of the world are grasped, one takes their position within them.
Complete English Translation of the Passage
Qián (the Creative / Heaven) represents the grand beginning, and Kūn (the Receptive / Earth) brings things to completion. Qián manifests through the principle of 易 (yì, ease) to be known, and Kūn operates through the principle of 簡 (jiǎn, simplicity) to achieve. Because of this ease, it is easily known (易知, yì zhī); because of this simplicity, it is easily followed (易從, yì cóng). When something is easily known, it attracts affinity (有親, yǒu qīn); when it is easily followed, it achieves results (有功, yǒu gōng). With affinity, it can endure (可久, kě jiǔ); with results, it can grow great (可大, kě dà). To endure is the virtue of a worthy person (賢人之德, xián rén zhī dé); to grow great is the achievement of a worthy person (賢人之業, xián rén zhī yè). Thus, through the principles of 易 (yì, ease) and 簡 (jiǎn, simplicity), all principles under heaven are understood. When all principles are understood, one's place is established within them.
Let’s break it down with key words bilingual:
乾 (Qián) – The Creative (Heaven, active principle)
知 (Zhī) – Knows, understands
大始 (dà shǐ) – Great beginning, the grand origin
坤 (Kūn) – The Receptive (Earth, passive principle)
作 (zuò) – Brings forth, creates
成 (chéng) – Completes, accomplishes
易 (Yì) – Easy; also "change" in the Book of Changes
知 (Zhī) – Know, understand
簡 (Jiǎn) – Simple, uncomplicated
能 (néng) – Capable, able
易知 (yì zhī) – Easy to know, easy to understand
簡從 (jiǎn cóng) – Simple to follow, easy to practice
有親 (yǒu qīn) – There is closeness, familiarity
有功 (yǒu gōng) – There is achievement, success
可久 (kě jiǔ) – Can endure, can last
可大 (kě dà) – Can be great, can become large
贤人 (xián rén) – A sage, a virtuous person
德 (dé) – Virtue, moral character
业 (yè) – Accomplishment, great achievement
天下 (tiān xià) – The world, all under heaven
理 (lǐ) – Principle, pattern, reason
得 (dé) – Grasped, understood
位 (wèi) – Position, place
其中 (qí zhōng) – Within it, inside it
In summary, the passage says: The Creative principle knows the great beginning, and the Receptive principle brings all things to completion. The Creative is easy to understand; the Receptive is capable through simplicity. What is easy is easy to know; what is simple is easy to follow. If it is easy to know, there is closeness; if it is easy to follow, there is achievement. What endures is the virtue of a sage; what is great is the accomplishment of a sage. By being easy and simple, the principles of the world are understood; once the principles are understood, one takes their place within them.
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