43 · 夬

Hexagram 43, 夬. Original Chinese judgment: 揚于王庭，孚號，有厲，告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

揚于王庭，孚號，有厲，告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初九：壯于前趾，往不勝為咎。
  2. 九二：惕號，莫夜有戎，勿恤。
  3. 九三：壯于頄，有凶。君子夬夬，獨行，遇雨，若濡，有慍，无咎。
  4. 九四：臀无膚，其行次且。牽羊悔亡，聞言不信。
  5. 九五：莧陸夬夬，中行无咎。
  6. 上六：无號，終有凶。

Tuan commentary

夬，決也，剛決柔也。健而說，決而和，揚于王庭，柔乘五剛也。孚號有厲，其危乃光也。告自邑，不利即戎，所尚乃窮也。利有攸往，剛長乃終也。

维基文库 · 周易 · 夬

Great Image commentary

澤上于天，夬；君子以施祿及下，居德則忌。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 不勝而往，咎也。
  2. 莫夜有戎，得中道也。
  3. 君子夬夬，終无咎也。
  4. 其行次且，位不當也。聞言不信，聰不明也。
  5. 中行无咎，中未光也。
  6. 无號之凶，終不可長也。

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》

維基文庫 · 周易本義（四庫全書本）卷二

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains Guai through five yang lines decisively removing one yin line. Decision requires publicly clarifying what is right, a trustworthy appeal and joint action, while remaining vigilant and first putting oneself in order rather than relying solely on force.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. The first yang line below advances relying on strength in a time of decision. Ability, time and position are insufficient for victory; fault arises from rash advance.
  2. Firmness in a yielding position in the second line holds the middle way, calling out vigilantly and preparing beforehand. Even a sudden enemy at night need not bring anxiety.
  3. The third yang line is excessively firm and not centered. Showing harsh resolve on the face invites misfortune. Without private correspondence binding it, removing impropriety despite misunderstanding can ultimately avoid blame.
  4. The fourth yang line lacks centered correctness, unsettled at rest and hesitant in movement. Following the other yang lines rather than competing to lead could remove regret, but such advice often goes unheard.
  5. The fifth yang line governs decision and lies near the top yin line. Decisively remove entanglement without excessive violence; action according with the center can avoid blame.
  6. Yielding yin at the top reaches exhaustion, its allies gone and no one to call for help. This cannot endure and ultimately has 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

Guai describes five yang lines decisively removing one yin line. A decision requires public explanation, a trustworthy appeal and shared implementation. Remain alert to danger and first put oneself in order, rather than relying solely on force or impulse.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. Still in a low position, one rashly advances relying on strength. Ability and timing are insufficient for victory; the fault comes from haste.
  2. Firm strength occupies a yielding position and holds the middle way. Vigilant calls and advance preparation make sudden events no cause for anxiety.
  3. Displaying uncompromising resolve directly on one's face invites misfortune. Without being tied to private attachments, however, one can be without blame even when misunderstood.
  4. Unsettled in one's place and hesitant in action, one can still remove regret by following others rather than competing to lead.
  5. As the leader of the decision, decisively remove entanglements without becoming excessively violent. Action must accord with the middle way to be without blame.
  6. The improper one is at the limit, with all allies gone and no one left to call for help. This condition cannot endure.

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