Hexagram 34: Da Zhuang

Judgment

利貞。

Tâ Kwang indicates that (under the conditions which it symbolises) it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.

Staying steady and correct is the whole message. Tradition reads it as a reminder that great strength is good for as long as it follows what is right.

Image

雷在天上，大壯；君子以非禮弗履。

(The trigram representing) heaven and above it that for thunder form Tâ Kwang. The superior man, in accordance with this, does not take a step which is not according to propriety.

Line 1 · 初九

壯于趾，征凶，有孚。

The first line, undivided, shows its subject manifesting his strength in his toes. But advance will lead to evil,--most certainly.

Your strength sits in the toes, the lowest spot. Marching forward on that alone leads to trouble, and the line is emphatic about it.

Line 2 · 九二

貞吉。

The second line, undivided, shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune.

Strength in the middle position stays in check. Holding a steady course from here is the sound choice.

Line 3 · 九三

小人用壯，君子用罔，貞厲。羝羊觸藩，羸其角。

The third line, undivided, shows, in the case of a small man, one using all his strength; and in the case of a superior man, one whose rule is not to do so. Even with firm correctness the position would be perilous. (The exercise of strength in it might be compared to the case of) a ram butting against a fence, and getting his horns entangled.

A petty person flaunts strength, while a capable person holds it back. Even staying correct is risky here, like a ram butting a fence and getting its horns tangled.

Line 4 · 九四

貞吉悔亡，藩決不羸，壯于大轝之腹。

The fourth line, undivided, shows (a case in which) firm correctness leads to good fortune, and occasion for repentance disappears. (We see) the fence opened without the horns being entangled. The strength is like that in the wheel-spokes of a large waggon.

The fence opens and the horns are not caught. Strength now goes into a sturdy cart axle that carries you forward, so regret lifts and holding steady works in your favor.

Line 5 · 六五

喪羊于易，无悔。

The fifth line, divided, shows one who loses his ram(-like strength) in the ease of his position. (But) there will be no occasion for repentance.

You lose the ram-like force without a fight, because you are yielding at the center. Nothing about that is left to regret.

Line 6 · 上六

羝羊觸藩，不能退，不能遂，无攸利，艱則吉。

The sixth line, divided, shows (one who may be compared to) the ram butting against the fence, and unable either to retreat, or to advance as he would fain do. There will not be advantage in any respect; but if he realise the difficulty (of his position), there will be good fortune.

The ram is stuck in the fence, unable to back out or push through, and nothing goes well. Taking the difficulty seriously is what turns it around, says the text.