Hexagram 52: Gen

Judgment

艮其背，不獲其身，行其庭，不見其人，无咎。

When one's resting is like that of the back, and he loses all consciousness of self; when he walks in his courtyard, and does not see any (of the persons) in it,--there will be no error.

The picture is stopping like the back, which cannot see what stirs desire, so that even a walk through a busy courtyard leaves you undisturbed and free of fault.

Image

兼山，艮；君子以思不出其位。

(Two trigrams representing) a mountain, one over the other, form Kăn. The superior man, in accordance with this, does not go in his thoughts beyond the (duties of the) position in which he is.

Line 1 · 初六

艮其趾，无咎，利永貞。

The first line, divided, shows its subject keeping his toes at rest. There will be no error; but it will be advantageous for him to be persistently firm and correct.

The first stop comes at the toes, before any step is taken. Nothing is wrong with that, and keeping it up over time pays.

Line 2 · 六二

艮其腓，不拯其隨，其心不快。

The second line, divided, shows its subject keeping the calves of his legs at rest. He cannot help (the subject of the line above) whom he follows, and is dissatisfied in his mind.

Held at the calves, you follow someone you cannot pull back from a mistake, and your heart is uneasy.

Line 3 · 九三

艮其限，裂其夤，厲閽心。

The third line, undivided, shows its subject keeping his loins at rest, and separating the ribs (from the body below). The situation is perilous, and the heart glows with suppressed excitement.

Rigid at the waist, you feel the strain split the back from the body below. This is dangerous, and the frustration burns in your chest.

Line 4 · 六四

艮其身，无咎。

The fourth line, divided, shows its subject keeping his trunk at rest. There will be no error.

You bring your whole self to a halt, which is as much as this position can do, and no one can fault it.

Line 5 · 六五

艮其輔，言有孚，悔亡。

The fifth line, divided, shows its subject keeping his jawbones at rest, so that his words are (all) orderly. Occasion for repentance will disappear.

You keep your jaw still, so your words come out in order. Any regret lifts as you speak only when it is fitting.

Line 6 · 上九

敦艮，吉。

The sixth line, undivided, shows its subject devotedly maintaining his restfulness. There will be good fortune.

Right at the top you hold stillness with a solid, generous steadiness, and you keep it to the very end. The verdict is good.