Hexagram 43 of 64

Guài — Resolute Decision

泽天夬 · Legge: Kwai · Lake above, Heaven below

Resolute decision: announce it in your own city first, and do not reach for the sword.

decisivenessconflictcaution

The Judgment

Guài requires the exhibition in the royal court, and a sincere and earnest appeal, with a consciousness of the peril. He should make announcement in his own city, and show that it will not be well to have recourse at once to arms. There will be advantage in whatever he shall go forward to.

Legge’s 1882 translation

Kwai requires (in him who would fulfil its meaning) the exhibition (of the culprit's guilt) in the royal court, and a sincere and earnest appeal (for sympathy and support), with a consciousness of the peril (involved in cutting off the criminal). He should (also) make announcement in his own city, and show that it will not be well to have recourse at once to arms. (In this way) there will be advantage in whatever he shall go forward to.

The Image

XLIII. (The trigram representing) heaven and that for the waters of a marsh mounting above it form Kwai. The superior man, in accordance with this, bestows emolument on those below him, and dislikes allowing his gifts to accumulate (undispensed).

泽上于天,夬;君子以施禄及下,居德则忌。

The Six Lines

The first nine · 初九

The first line, undivided, shows its subject in the pride of strength advancing with his toes. He goes forward, but will not succeed. There will be ground for blame.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The first nine, undivided, shows its subject in (the pride of) strength advancing with his toes. He goes forward, but will not succeed. There will be ground for blame.

The second nine · 九二

The second line, undivided, shows its subject full of apprehension and appealing. Late at night hostile measures may be, but he need not be anxious about them.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The second nine, undivided, shows its subject full of apprehension and appealing (for sympathy and help). Late at night hostile measures may be (taken against him), but he need not be anxious about them.

The third nine · 九三

The third line, undivided, shows its subject with strong looks. There will be evil. The superior man, bent on cutting off, will walk alone and encounter the rain, as if he were contaminated. There will be no blame against him.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The third nine, undivided, shows its subject (about to advance) with strong (and determined) looks. There will be evil. (But) the superior man, bent on cutting off (the criminal), will walk alone and encounter the rain, (till he be hated by his proper associates) as if he were contaminated (by the others). (In the end) there will be no blame against him.

The fourth nine · 九四

The fourth line, Undivided, shows one from whose buttocks the skin has been stripped, and who walks slowly and with difficulty. Like a sheep led, occasion for repentance would disappear. But though he hear these words, he will not believe them.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fourth nine, Undivided, shows one from whose buttocks the skin has been stripped, and who walks slowly and with difficulty. (If he could act) like a sheep led (after its companions), occasion for repentance would disappear. But though he hear these words, he will not believe them.

The fifth nine · 九五

The fifth line, undivided, shows a bed of purslain, which ought to be uprooted with the utmost determination., his action, in harmony with his central position, will lead to no error or blame.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fifth nine, undivided, shows (the small men like) a bed of purslain, which ought to be uprooted with the utmost determination. (The subject of the line having such determination), his action, in harmony with his central position, will lead to no error or blame.

The topmost six · 上六

The sixth line, divided, shows its subject without any on whom to call. His end will be evil.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The sixth six, divided, shows its subject without any (helpers) on whom to call. His end will be evil.

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