Hexagram 6: Song

Judgment

有孚，窒，惕，中吉，終凶。利見大人，不利涉大川。

Sung intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune, while, if he must prosecute the contention to the (bitter) end, there will be evil. It will be advantageous to see the great man; it will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.

You may be sincere and still run into a wall. Settling midway is a good sign and fighting to the end is a bad one, so it helps to put the case before a person of standing.

Image

天與水違行，訟；君子以作事謀始。

(The trigram representing) heaven and (that representing) water, moving away from each other, form Sung. The superior man, in accordance with this, in the transaction of affairs takes good counsel about his first steps.

Line 1 · 初六

不永所事，小有言，終吉。

The first line, divided, shows its subject not perpetuating the matter about which (the contention is). He will suffer the small (injury) of being spoken against, but the end will be fortunate.

You do not drag the dispute on, and although a few words are said against you along the way, it ends well.

Line 2 · 九二

不克訟，歸而逋，其邑人三百戶无眚。

The second line, undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. If he retire and keep concealed (where) the inhabitants of his city are (only) three hundred families, he will fall into no mistake.

Unable to win this dispute, you go home and keep a low profile in a small town of three hundred households. That modest retreat leaves you free of calamity.

Line 3 · 六三

食舊德，貞厲，終吉。或從王事，无成。

The third line, divided, shows its subject keeping in the old place assigned for his support, and firmly correct. Perilous as the position is, there will be good fortune in the end. Should he perchance engage in the king's business, he will not (claim the merit of) achievement.

Living on what you have already earned and holding your position feels risky and still ends well. If you take on a public duty, you do not get to claim the achievement.

Line 4 · 九四

不克訟，復即命渝，安貞吉。

The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. He returns to (the study of Heaven's) ordinances, changes (his wish to contend), and rests in being firm and correct. There will be good fortune.

You cannot win, so you return to what is right and change your plan. Settling into a steady course works in your favor.

Line 5 · 九五

訟，元吉。

The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject contending;--and with great good fortune.

Here you are the one who hears the dispute, a person of standing who judges with an even hand. That role gets the strongest praise in the hexagram.

Line 6 · 上九

或錫之鞶帶，終朝三褫之。

The topmost line, undivided, shows how its subject may have the leathern belt conferred on him (by the sovereign), and thrice it shall be taken from him in a morning.

You may be given a belt of honor for winning, but before the morning is over it has been taken back three times, since a reward won by fighting does not stay put.