Hexagram 39 of 64

Jiǎn — A Difficult Road

水山蹇 · Legge: Kien · Water above, Mountain below

A difficult road: turn back and examine yourself; the southwest is favorable and the northeast is not.

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The Judgment

In Jiǎn advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous to meet with the great man., with firmness and correctness, there will be good fortune.

Legge’s 1882 translation

In (the state indicated by) Kien advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous (also) to meet with the great man. (In these circumstances), with firmness and correctness, there will be good fortune.

The Image

XXXIX. (The trigram representing) a mountain, and above it that for water, form Kien. The superior man, in accordance with this, turns round (and examines) himself, and cultivates his virtue.

山上有水,蹇;君子以反身修德。

The Six Lines

The first six · 初六

From the first line, divided, we learn that advance on the part of its subject will lead to greater difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise.

Legge’s 1882 translation

From the first six, divided, we learn that advance (on the part of its subject) will lead to (greater) difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise.

The second six · 六二

The second line, divided, shows the minister of the king struggling with difficulty on difficulty, and not with a view to his own advantage.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The second six, divided, shows the minister of the king struggling with difficulty on difficulty, and not with a view to his own advantage.

The third nine · 九三

The third line, undivided, shows its subject advancing, but only to greater difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns to his former associates.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The third nine, undivided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns (to his former associates).

The fourth six · 六四

The fourth line, divided, shows its subject advancing, but only to greater difficulties. He remains stationary, and unites with the subject of the line above.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fourth six, divided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and unites (with the subject of the line above).

The fifth nine · 九五

The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fifth nine, undivided, shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him.

The topmost six · 上六

The topmost line, divided, shows its subject going forward, only to increase the difficulties, while his remaining stationary will be productive of great merit. There will be good fortune, and it will be advantageous to meet with the great man.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The topmost six, divided, shows its subject going forward, (only to increase) the difficulties, while his remaining stationary will be (productive of) great (merit). There will be good fortune, and it will be advantageous to meet with the great man.

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