Hexagram 12: Pi

Judgment

否之匪人，不利君子貞，大往小來。

In Phî there is the want of good understanding between the (different classes of) men, and its indication is unfavourable to the firm and correct course of the superior man. We see in it the great gone and the little come.

The text says this blockage runs against the way people are meant to live together. Acting correctly gains little traction now, because the greater force goes out and the lesser one comes in.

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天地不交，否；君子以儉德辟難，不可榮以祿。

(The trigrams of) heaven and earth, not in intercommunication, form Phî. The superior man, in accordance with this, restrains (the manifestation) of) his virtue, and avoids the calamities (that threaten him). There is no opportunity of conferring on him the glory of emolument.

Line 1 · 初六

拔茅茹以其彙，貞吉。亨。

The first line, divided, suggests the idea of grass pulled up, and bringing with it other stalks with whose roots it is connected. With firm correctness (on the part of its subject), there will be good fortune and progress.

Again one plant comes up with its tangled neighbors. This time the group holds together and keeps a steady course through the blockage, and things still get through.

Line 2 · 六二

包承，小人吉，大人否。亨。

The second line, divided, shows its subject patient and obedient. To the small man (comporting himself so) there will be good fortune. If the great man (comport himself) as the distress and obstruction require, he will have success.

Going along and taking orders works out fine for a small-minded person. A person of stature keeps apart from that and accepts the blockage, and that way goes through.

Line 3 · 六三

包羞。

The third line, divided, shows its subject ashamed of the purpose folded (in his breast).

You carry something shameful inside, an aim or a position you would not want shown. The tradition reads it as ill will that cannot act yet, so it stays hidden.

Line 4 · 九四

有命，无咎，疇離祉。

The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject acting in accordance with the ordination (of Heaven), and committing no error. His companions will come and share in his happiness.

Acting under a real mandate means nothing counts against you, and the people who stand with you share in the benefit. This is where the blockage starts to give way.

Line 5 · 九五

休否，大人吉。其亡其亡，繫于包桑。

In the fifth line, undivided, we see him who brings the distress and obstruction to a close,--the great man and fortunate. (But let him say), 'We may perish! We may perish!' (so shall the state of things become firm, as if) bound to a clump of bushy mulberry trees.

A person of stature brings the standstill to a rest, and the text calls it fortunate. Keep asking whether it could all collapse again, because that watchfulness anchors things like a clump of mulberry roots.

Line 6 · 上九

傾否，先否後喜。

The sixth line, undivided, shows the overthrow (and removal of) the condition of distress and obstruction. Before this there was that condition. Hereafter there will be joy.

The standstill finally topples over. The text marks the order plainly, with the blocked stretch first and the relief after it.