Hexagram 43: Guai

Judgment

揚于王庭，孚號，有厲，告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。

Kwâi 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.

State the matter openly in the royal court, sincerely and aware of the danger. Rally your own side first and avoid going straight to force, and then moving ahead is favorable.

Image

澤上於天，夬；君子以施祿及下，居德則忌。

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

Line 1 · 初九

壯于前趾，往不勝為咎。

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.

You are strong only in the front toes, eager to go but unable to win. Rushing in early is where the fault lies.

Line 2 · 九二

惕號，莫夜有戎，勿恤。

The second line, 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.

Staying alert and raising the alarm keeps you steady, so even a night raid need not worry you.

Line 3 · 九三

壯于頄，有凶。君子夬夬，獨行遇雨，若濡有慍，无咎。

The third line, 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.

Letting your resolve show on your face invites trouble. A resolute person goes on alone through the rain, resented by former allies for getting splashed, and comes through without fault.

Line 4 · 九四

臀无膚，其行次且。牽羊悔亡，聞言不信。

The fourth line, 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.

Your skin is rubbed raw and every step is a struggle. Going along like a led sheep would end the regret, yet you hear that advice and do not believe it.

Line 5 · 九五

莧陸夬夬，中行无咎。

The fifth line, 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.

Pull up the stubborn weed with complete determination. Keeping to the middle path while you do it means no mistake.

Line 6 · 上六

无號，終有凶。

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

You have no one left to call on and nowhere to turn. The ending is unfavorable.