32 · 恆
Hexagram 32, 恆. Original Chinese judgment: 亨，无咎，利貞，利有攸往。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.
Judgment
亨，无咎，利貞，利有攸往。
Line texts
- 初六：浚恆，貞凶，无攸利。
- 九二：悔亡。
- 九三：不恆其德，或承之羞，貞吝。
- 九四：田无禽。
- 六五：恆其德，貞，婦人吉，夫子凶。
- 上六：振恆，凶。
Tuan commentary
恆，久也。剛上而柔下，雷風相與，巽而動，剛柔皆應，恆。恆亨无咎，利貞；久于其道也，天地之道，恆久而不已也。利有攸往，終則有始也。日月得天，而能久照，四時變化，而能久成，聖人久于其道，而天下化成；觀其所恆，而天地萬物之情可見矣！
Great Image commentary
雷風，恆；君子以立不易方。
Small Images · bottom to top
- 浚恆之凶，始求深也。
- 九二悔亡，能久中也。
- 不恆其德，无所容也。
- 久非其位，安得禽也。
- 婦人貞吉，從一而終也。夫子制義，從婦凶也。
- 振恆在上，大无功也。
Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese
Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.
朱熹《周易本義》
Judgment exegesis
Zhu Xi explains Heng through thunder and wind together, yielding responsiveness followed by movement and correspondence between firmness and yielding in all six lines. Lasting commitment to correctness allows unhindered progress without blame. Constancy is not rigid stillness, but rests on quietness as endings and beginnings generate one another.
Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts
- The first yin line seeks profound constancy at the beginning, underestimating circumstances and its corresponding partner. Even an apparently proper aim becomes inauspicious when pursued too deeply too soon.
- Yang in a yin position in the second line could bring regret, but lasting adherence to the middle way removes the original regret.
- The third yang line is correctly placed but excessively firm and not centered. Outward-running aims cannot maintain virtue; repeated inconsistency brings humiliation, even with a correct position.
- Yang persists in an unsuitable fourth position, like hunting where there is no game. Continuing in a mistaken direction cannot obtain what is sought.
- Yielding strength at the center in the fifth line corresponds with centered firmness and can hold to one course. Using traditional divisions of roles, the original commentary notes that those responsible for judging principles fail their task if they merely follow others.
- The top yin line is at the extreme of constancy and the end of movement. Extreme constancy becomes inconsistency and extreme movement agitation; yielding weakness cannot hold firmly, leaving great lack of accomplishment and an inauspicious reading.
Plain-language reading
Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.
Judgment introduction
Heng concerns enduring commitment to the proper way. Endurance is not rigid immobility: it preserves principles through successive endings and beginnings, grounding itself in stability while adapting to changing times, so that unhindered progress without blame becomes possible.
Plain-language reading · Line texts
- Demanding profound, lasting commitment at the very beginning underestimates the situation. Seeking too much depth too early instead causes harm.
- The position could have brought regret, but lasting adherence to the middle way removes the original cause for regret.
- Unable to maintain virtue consistently, one's aims repeatedly run outward, bringing repeated humiliation.
- Remaining for a long time in an unsuitable position is like hunting where there is no game. Persistence in a mistaken direction brings no gain.
- Yielding strength at the center can hold steadily to one course. Yet differing responsibilities require more than obedience: one must judge whether that course is appropriate.
- At the extreme of endurance, ceaseless agitation turns constancy into inconsistency. Without steadfastness, nothing is ultimately achieved.