Hexagram 7: Shi

Judgment

貞丈人吉，无咎。

Sze indicates how, in the case which it supposes, with firmness and correctness, and (a leader of) age and experience, there will be good fortune and no error.

An army needs a correct cause and an experienced, respected leader. With both in place the reading is favorable and the effort draws no fault.

Image

地中有水，師；君子以容民畜眾。

(The trigram representing) the earth and in the midst of it that representing water, form Sze. The superior man, in accordance with this, nourishes and educates the people, and collects (from among them) the multitudes (of the hosts).

Line 1 · 初六

師出以律，否臧，凶。

The first line, divided, shows the host going forth according to the rules (for such a movement). If these be not good, there will be evil.

The army sets out under rules, and everything depends on those rules being sound. If the order or the purpose is poor, the text warns of trouble.

Line 2 · 九二

在師中吉，无咎；王三錫命。

The second line, undivided, shows (the leader) in the midst of the host. There will be good fortune and no error. The king has thrice conveyed to him the orders (of his favour).

The leader stays in the middle of the troops, which counts as a good sign and draws no fault. The ruler backs this leader repeatedly, so support also comes from above.

Line 3 · 六三

師或輿尸，凶。

The third line, divided, shows how the host may, possibly, have many inefficient leaders. There will be evil.

An unfit person pushing to the front can bring the army home carrying its dead, which is the bad sign this line names.

Line 4 · 六四

師左次，无咎。

The fourth line, divided, shows the host in retreat. There is no error.

The army pulls back and makes camp, and knowing when a position is too hard to hold leaves no one able to fault the decision.

Line 5 · 六五

田有禽，利執言，无咎。長子帥師，弟子輿尸，貞凶。

The fifth line, divided, shows birds in the fields, which it will be advantageous to seize (and destroy). In that case there will be no error. If the oldest son leads the host, and younger men (idly occupy offices assigned to them), however firm and correct he may be, there will be evil.

An intruder in your field justifies acting, if you can state a plain, fair reason. The experienced elder should lead, since sharing command with lesser hands goes badly even in a just cause.

Line 6 · 上六

大君有命，開國承家，小人勿用。

The topmost line, divided, shows the great ruler delivering his charges, (appointing some) to be rulers of states, and others to undertake the headship of clans; but small men should not be employed (in such positions).

When the work is done, the ruler rewards people with cities and family lands. Petty people should stay out of real authority, since rewards and power are separate matters.