60 · 節

Hexagram 60, 節. Original Chinese judgment: 亨。苦節，不可貞。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

亨。苦節，不可貞。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初九：不出戶庭，无咎。
  2. 九二：不出門庭，凶。
  3. 六三：不節若，則嗟若，无咎。
  4. 六四：安節，亨。
  5. 九五：甘節，吉；往有尚。
  6. 上六：苦節，貞凶，悔亡。

Tuan commentary

節，亨，剛柔分，而剛得中。苦節不可貞，其道窮也。說以行險，當位以節，中正以通。天地節而四時成，節以制度，不傷財，不害民。

维基文库 · 周易 · 节

Great Image commentary

澤上有水，節；君子以制數度，議德行。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 不出戶庭，知通塞也。
  2. 不出門庭，失時極也。
  3. 不節之嗟，又誰咎也。
  4. 安節之亨，承上道也。
  5. 甘節之吉，居位中也。
  6. 苦節貞凶，其道窮也。

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 Jie through water above a lake whose capacity is limited. Firmness and yielding are divided, with the second and fifth lines centered, so restraint has a way toward unhindered progress. Excessive limits become bitter restraint, exhausting the way and not to be held rigidly.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. Firm yang in the correct first position is at restraint’s beginning, when action is not yet timely. Stopping within the doorway understands openness and obstruction and is without blame.
  2. The second yang line has reached a time for action, but incorrect placement and lack of support above make it know only stopping, not the possibility of progress. Missing the time is inauspicious.
  3. Yielding yin in the third line lacks centered correctness and fails to restrain itself when needed, leaving only sighs afterward. The fault is self-created, with no one else to blame.
  4. Correct yielding in the fourth line supports the fifth and naturally fits the limits without force. Calm restraint allows unhindered progress.
  5. Centered correctness in a fitting fifth position establishes moderate limits that allow passage without bitter pressure, like agreeable restraint. Proceeding thus is auspicious and earns esteem.
  6. Yielding yin at restraint’s extreme becomes bitter restraint. Even a proper intention cannot avoid an inauspicious reading because the way is exhausted; nevertheless, frugality ultimately removes regret.

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

Jie places water above a lake, using capacity and boundaries to explain restraint. Appropriate limits create order, but excessive restrictions that cause unbearable hardship cannot last. Restraint itself needs a fitting measure.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. The time has not yet opened for action. Staying within the doorway rather than venturing out rashly shows knowing when to stop, and is without blame.
  2. The time now permits action, yet one remains inside and misses the opportunity; this is inauspicious.
  3. Unable to restrain oneself, one sighs only afterward. The fault is one's own and cannot be assigned to others.
  4. Calmly following appropriate limits in accordance with the situation, neither forced nor excessive, allows unhindered progress.
  5. From the central position, establish agreeable, fitting limits and follow them oneself first. This is auspicious and can earn respect.
  6. Restrictions become so harsh that they cannot be sustained. Continuing leads to hardship; knowing when to stop and correcting the fault can remove regret.

Read the source