Hexagram 8: Bi

Judgment

吉。原筮元永貞，无咎。不寧方來，後夫凶。

Pî indicates that (under the conditions which it supposes) there is good fortune. But let (the principal party intended in it) re-examine himself, (as if) by divination, whether his virtue be great, unintermitting, and firm. If it be so, there will be no error. Those who have not rest will then come to him; and with those who are (too) late in coming it will be ill.

Drawing together is a good sign, with a condition. Check first that you are worth relying on and that the bond can last, since restless people come looking for a place to settle and the latecomer fares worst.

Image

地上有水，比；先王以建萬國，親諸侯。

(The trigram representing) the earth, and over it (that representing) water, form Pî. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, established the various states and maintained an affectionate relation to their princes.

Line 1 · 初六

有孚，比之，无咎。有孚盈缶，終來有它，吉。

The first line, divided, shows its subject seeking by his sincerity to win the attachment of his object. There will be no error. Let (the breast) be full of sincerity as an earthenware vessel is of its contents, and it will in the end bring other advantages.

Begin the bond with plain sincerity and no one can fault you. Good faith fills a simple clay jar to the brim, and in the end good comes from an unexpected direction.

Line 2 · 六二

比之自內，貞吉。

In the second line, divided, we see the movement towards union and attachment proceeding from the inward (mind). With firm correctness there will be good fortune.

The wish to draw close comes from inside you, in response to someone you respect, and holding a steady course in it is a good sign.

Line 3 · 六三

比之匪人。

In the third line, divided, we see its subject seeking for union with such as ought not to be associated with.

You are drawing close to the wrong people. The line gives no reason and no softening, and that bare statement is the warning.

Line 4 · 六四

外比之，貞吉。

In the fourth line, divided, we see its subject seeking for union with the one beyond himself. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.

Reaching out beyond your own circle to a worthy person above you, while staying steady, reads well.

Line 5 · 九五

顯比。王用三敺，失前禽，邑人不誡，吉。

The fifth line, undivided, affords the most illustrious instance of seeking union and attachment. (We seem to see in it) the king urging his pursuit of the game (only) in three directions, and allowing the escape of all the animals before him, while the people of his towns do not warn one another (to prevent it). There will be good fortune.

An open alliance resembles a hunt with one side left open for the game to escape. People who come are welcome and nobody who leaves is chased, so no one is pressed to join.

Line 6 · 上六

比之无首，凶。

In the topmost line, divided, we see one seeking union and attachment without having taken the first step (to such an end). There will be evil.

A bond with no good beginning and no real leader, joined too late, has nothing solid to hold it together, and the omen is bad.