The I Ching Speaks!



     33.  Tun / Retreat

          ----------
          ----------     above     Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
          ----------
          ----------
          ---- ----     below     K^en    Keeping Still, Mountain
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          Retreat. Success.
          In what is small, perseverance furthers.

     The Image

          Mountain under heaven: the image of Retreat.
          Thus the superior man keeps the inferior man at a distance,
          Not angrily but with reserve.

     The Lines

     []   Six in the second place means:
          He holds him fast with yellow oxhide.
          No one can tear him loose.

          Nine in the third place means:
          A halted retreat
          Is nerve-wracking and dangerous.
          To retain people as men- and maidservants
          Brings good fortune.

     ()   Nine in the fifth place means:
          Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune.


     64.  Wei Chi / Before Completion

          ----------
          ---- ----     above     Li     The Clinging, Flame
          ----------
          ---- ----
          ----------     below     K'an   The Abysmal, Water
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          Before Completion. Success.
          But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing,
          Gets his tail in the water,
          There is nothing that would further.

     The Image

          Fire over water:
          The image of the condition before transition.
          Thus the superior man is careful
          In the differentiation of things,
          So that each finds its place.