7 · 師

Hexagram 7, 師. Original Chinese judgment: 貞，丈人，吉无咎。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

貞，丈人，吉无咎。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初六：師出以律，否臧凶。
  2. 九二：在師中吉，无咎，王三錫命。
  3. 六三：師或輿尸，凶。
  4. 六四：師左次，无咎。
  5. 六五：田有禽，利執言，无咎。長子帥師，弟子輿尸，貞凶。
  6. 上六：大君有命，開國承家，小人勿用。

Tuan commentary

師，眾也。貞，正也。能以眾正，可以王矣。剛中而應，行險而順，以此毒天下，而民從之，吉又何咎矣。

维基文库 · 周易 · 師

Great Image commentary

地中有水，師；君子以容民畜眾。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 師出以律，失律凶也。
  2. 在師中吉，承天寵也。王三錫命，懷萬邦也。
  3. 師或輿尸，大无功也。
  4. 左次无咎，未失常也。
  5. 長子帥師，以中行也。弟子輿尸，使不當也。
  6. 大君有命，以正功也。小人勿用，必亂邦也。

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）卷一

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains the assembled forces of Shi through the danger of Kan hidden within the responsiveness of Kun. The second yang line is the commander and the five yin lines the troops. Employing people must be justified and entrusted to someone virtuous and experienced.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. At the beginning of an expedition, begin carefully and observe discipline. Losing proper order already plants danger in the action itself.
  2. Firm strength at the center in the second yang line receives the allegiance of the yin lines and the trust of the fifth yin line, enabling command of the assembled forces under authority from above.
  3. Yin occupies a yang position, with weak ability but a forceful wish to advance, and exceeds its proper responsibility. This forms the image of defeated troops returning with corpses.
  4. Yielding yin lacks the center but is correctly placed in a yin position. Recognizing difficulty and withdrawing to quarters preserves the whole force, better according with the constant way than forced advance.
  5. The fifth yin line employs troops without initiating conflict, responding only to invasion. Entrust the suitable commander alone and do not allow unsuitable people to interfere.
  6. After the campaign, assess service and distribute rewards with proper recognition of merit. Even a petty person with achievements must not receive power sufficient to disorder the state.

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

Shi uses an army and collective action as its images. Its emphasis is not encouragement of warfare, but that directing people requires correctness, discipline and mature, reliable leadership.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. Collective action needs discipline from the outset. Without rules, even good intentions can lead to danger.
  2. At the center of the force and trusted by others, one can take responsibility for leadership and conveying commands.
  3. Putting an unsuitable person in charge brings retreat and loss; the reading therefore describes this as inauspicious.
  4. Recognizing an unfavorable situation and temporarily withdrawing, without forcing an advance, can preserve the whole.
  5. Actual intrusion may be met, but suitable leadership must be entrusted with the task, without interference from unfit people.
  6. After the affair ends, set roles properly according to contribution. Capable people lacking integrity should not receive key authority.

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