| |
Original |
Translation |
| The
Image |
水山蹇 |
Water on the mountain. |
| 坎上艮下 |
Kǎn (The Abysmal, Water) above, Gèn (Keeping Still, Mountain) below. |
| The Judgment |
蹇‧利西南‧不利東北‧利見大人‧貞吉‧ |
In (the state indicated by) Jiǎn advantage will be found in the south-west, and
the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous
(also) to meet with the great man. (In these circumstances),
with firmness and correctness, there will be good fortune. |
彖曰‧蹇‧難也‧險在前也‧見險而能止‧知矣哉‧
蹇利西南‧往得中也‧不利東北‧其道窮也‧利見大人‧往有功也‧當位貞吉‧以正邦也‧蹇之時用大矣哉‧
|
Jiǎn denotes difficulty. There is (the trigram expressive of) perilousness
in front. When one, seeing the peril, can arrest his
steps (in accordance with the significance of the lower
trigram), is he not wise?
(The language of)
Jiǎn, that 'advantage will be found in the south-west,'
refers to the (strong fifth line) advanced and in
the central place. That 'there will be no advantage
in the north-east,' intimates that the way (of dealing
with the Jiǎn state) is exhausted. That 'it will
be advantageous to see the great man,' intimates
that advance will lead to achievement. That the places
(of the different lines after the first) are those
appropriate to them indicates firm correctness and
good fortune, with which the regions (of the kingdom)
are brought to their normal state. Great indeed is
the work to be done in the time of Jiǎn!
|
| 象曰‧山上有水‧蹇‧君子以反身修德‧ |
(The trigram representing) a mountain, and above it that for water, form Jiǎn.
The superior man, in accordance with this, turns round
(and examines) himself, and cultivates his virtue. |
|
| Line
1 |
初六‧往蹇‧來譽‧ |
From the first SIX, divided, we learn that advance (on the part of its subject)
will lead to (greater) difficulties, while remaining
stationary will afford ground for praise. |
| 象曰‧往蹇來譽‧宜待也‧ |
'Advancing will conduct to (greater) difficulties, while remaining stationary
will afford ground for praise:'--the proper course
is to wait. |
| Line
2 |
六二‧王臣蹇蹇‧匪躬之故‧ |
The second SIX, divided, shows the minister of the king struggling with difficulty
on difficulty, and not with a view to his own advantage. |
| 象曰‧王臣蹇蹇‧終無尤也‧ |
'The minister of the king struggles with difficulty on difficulty:'--in the
end no blame will be attached to him. |
| Line
3 |
九三‧往蹇來反‧ |
The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater)
difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns (to
his former associates). |
| 象曰‧往蹇來反‧內喜之也‧ |
'He advances, (but only) to (greater) difficulty; he remains stationary, and
returns to his former associates:'--they, (represented
in) the inner (trigram), rejoice in him. |
| Line
4 |
六四‧往蹇來連‧ |
The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater)
difficulties. He remains stationary, and unites (with
the subject of the line above). |
| 象曰‧往蹇來連‧當位實也‧ |
'To advance will (only be to) encounter (greater) difficulties; he remains
stationary, and unites (with the subject of the line
above):'--that is in its proper place and has the solidity
(due to it in that position). |
| Line
5 |
九五‧大蹇朋來‧ |
The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties,
while friends are coming to help him. |
| 象曰‧大蹇朋來‧以中節也‧ |
'He struggles with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming (to
help him):'--he is in the central position, and possesses
the requisite virtue. |
| Line
6 |
上六‧往蹇來碩‧吉‧利見大人‧ |
The topmost SIX, divided, shows its subject going forward, (only to increase)
the difficulties, while his remaining stationary will
be (productive of) great (merit). There will be good
fortune, and it will be advantageous to meet with the
great man. |
| 象曰‧往蹇來碩‧志在內也‧利見大人‧以從貴也‧ |
'To advance will (only) increase the difficulties, while his remaining stationary
will (be productive of) great (merit):'--his aim
is to assist the (subject of the line) inside of
him. 'It will be advantageous
to meet the great man:'--by his course he follows
that noble (lord of the figure).
|
