64 · 未濟
Hexagram 64, 未濟. Original Chinese judgment: 亨，小狐汔濟，濡其尾，无攸利。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.
Judgment
亨，小狐汔濟，濡其尾，无攸利。
Line texts
- 初六：濡其尾，吝。
- 九二：曳其輪，貞吉。
- 六三：未濟，征凶，利涉大川。
- 九四：貞吉，悔亡，震用伐鬼方，三年有賞于大國。
- 六五：貞吉，无悔，君子之光，有孚，吉。
- 上九：有孚于飲酒，无咎，濡其首，有孚失是。
Tuan commentary
未濟，亨；柔得中也。小狐汔濟，未出中也。濡其尾，无攸利；不續終也。雖不當位，剛柔應也。
Great Image commentary
火在水上，未濟；君子以慎辨物居方。
Small Images · bottom to top
- 濡其尾，亦不知極也。
- 九二貞吉，中以行正也。
- 未濟征凶，位不當也。
- 貞吉悔亡，志行也。
- 君子之光，其暉吉也。
- 飲酒濡首，亦不知節也。
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 Wei Ji through water and fire not interacting or serving one another, with all six lines misplaced. Affairs are incomplete, but firmness and yielding still respond, preserving the possibility of adjustment and completion.
Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts
- Yin below at incompletion’s beginning has insufficient ability yet forces advance, like a young fox wetting its tail first while crossing; hence humiliation.
- The second yang line corresponds with the fifth yin, occupying a yielding position and holding the center. It can stop itself like holding back the wheels; correcting its position through the middle way makes steadfast correctness auspicious.
- Yielding yin in the third line lacks centered correctness, making rash advance inauspicious. The surviving text of Benyi also gives an image of crossing danger; its note explicitly suggests a missing negative before the word meaning benefit. The textual question remains unresolved.
- Yang in a yin fourth position originally brings regret. Work to return to correctness and sustain yang strength, like receiving reward after three years of campaigning, so the purpose can be carried out.
- Yin in the fifth position is not correctly placed but governs Li’s clarity, holds the center and responds to firmness, allowing open-minded help-seeking. Correctness is auspicious without regret, and sincerity radiates the exemplary person’s light.
- Firm clarity at incompletion’s extreme approaches a time for action. Sincere drinking and self-nourishment while waiting are originally without blame, but excessive indulgence like wetting the head loses rightness through overconfidence.
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
Wei Ji has water and fire not interacting and all six lines out of their proper positions, representing what is not yet complete. Correspondences still exist between the lines, so incompletion is not hopelessness. Discern positions, adjust the steps and remain as careful at the end as at the beginning.
Plain-language reading · Line texts
- Ability is still weak, yet one hastens to cross, like a young fox wetting its tail. Rashness at the beginning brings regret.
- Holding back the wheels to delay advance is not withdrawal. Firm strength at the center knows how to control speed; maintaining correctness is auspicious.
- Yielding weakness in an unsuitable position makes rash advance inauspicious. The received line may have missing text before the phrase about benefit in crossing the great river. Traditional interpretations differ, so the textual question should remain open.
- Sustained effort with firm strength brings action back to the proper way, removes former regret and establishes results.
- Yielding strength holds the center and seeks help from firm clarity, expressing light through trustworthiness; this is auspicious and without regret.
- As completion approaches, calmly waiting with trustworthiness is originally without fault. Excessive indulgence, like drinking until the head is wet, loses moderation and credibility.