Hexagram 11: Tai

Judgment

小往大來，吉亨。

In Thâi (we see) the little gone and the great come. (It indicates that) there will be good fortune, with progress and success.

The lesser force goes out and the greater force comes in, and the text reads this as a good time when things pass freely between above and below.

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天地交，泰；后以財成天地之道，輔相天地之宜，以左右民。

(The trigrams for) heaven and earth in communication together form Thâi. The (sage) sovereign, in harmony with this, fashions and completes (his regulations) after the courses of heaven and earth, and assists the application of the adaptations furnished by them,--in order to benefit the people.

Line 1 · 初九

拔茅茹以其彙，征吉。

The first line, undivided, suggests the idea of grass pulled up, and bringing with it other stalks with whose roots it is connected. Advance (on the part of its subject) will be fortunate.

Lift one plant by its roots and its neighbors come up tangled with it. When you move, the people tied to you move too, and setting out together goes well.

Line 2 · 九二

包荒。用馮河，不遐遺；朋亡。得尚于中行。

The second line, undivided, shows one who can bear with the uncultivated, will cross the Ho without a boat, does not forget the distant, and has no (selfish) friendships. Thus does he prove himself acting in accordance with the course of the due Mean.

You are patient with rough edges and bold when the moment demands it. Keeping faraway people in mind and setting cliques aside is what holds you to the middle way.

Line 3 · 九三

无平不陂，无往不復，艱貞无咎。勿恤其孚，于食有福。

The third line, undivided, shows that, while there is no state of peace that is not liable to be disturbed, and no departure (of evil men) so that they shall not return, yet when one is firm and correct, as he realises the distresses that may arise, he will commit no error. There is no occasion for sadness at the certainty (of such recurring changes); and in this mood the happiness (of the present) may be (long) enjoyed.

Flat ground always slopes somewhere, and what leaves tends to return. Staying steady and alert through hard moments keeps you free of fault, and you can enjoy what you have without fretting over trust.

Line 4 · 六四

翩翩，不富以其鄰；不戒以孚。

The fourth line, divided, shows its subject fluttering (down);--not relying on his own rich resources, but calling in his neighbours. (They all come) not as having received warning, but in the sincerity (of their hearts).

The ones above come down lightly to join the ones below, and neighbors gather through good faith alone, with no show of wealth and no warning needed.

Line 5 · 六五

帝乙歸妹，以祉，元吉。

The fifth line, divided, reminds us of (king) Tî-yî's (rule about the) marriage of his younger sister. By such a course there is happiness and there will be great good fortune.

A king gives a younger sister in marriage to a family of lower rank, setting status aside to make the match work. The text calls that humility a blessing and the best of omens.

Line 6 · 上六

城復于隍，勿用師，自邑告命，貞吝。

The sixth line, divided, shows us the city wall returned into the moat. It is not the time to use the army. (The subject of the line) may, indeed, announce his orders to the people of his own city; but however correct and firm he may be, he will have cause for regret.

The city wall has fallen back into its moat, a sign the good stretch is ending. Force is the wrong answer, and you can only address your own people with some regret.