9 · 小畜

Judgment

亨。密雲不雨，自我西郊。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

1. 初九：復自道，何其咎，吉。
2. 九二：牽復，吉。
3. 九三：輿說輻，夫妻反目。
4. 六四：有孚，血去惕出，无咎。
5. 九五：有孚攣如，富以其鄰。
6. 上九：既雨既處，尚德載，婦貞厲。月幾望，君子征凶。

Tuan commentary

小畜，柔得位而上下應之，曰小畜。健而巽，剛中而志行，乃亨。密雲不雨，尚往也。自我西郊，施未行也。

维基文库 · 周易 · 小畜

Great Image commentary

風行天上，小畜；君子以懿文德。

Small Images · bottom to top

1. 復自道，其義吉也。
2. 牽復在中，亦不自失也。
3. 夫妻反目，不能正室也。
4. 有孚惕出，上合志也。
5. 有孚攣如，不獨富也。
6. 既雨既處，德積載也。君子征凶，有所疑也。

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 Xiao Xu through one yin line restraining five yang lines. Yin can hold yang back but cannot firmly block it. Yang still tends toward unhindered progress, while what has accumulated has not yet been fully put into effect.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

1. Firm yang in the first line is correctly placed and still far from the fourth yin line. Maintaining correctness without restraint, it returns along its own proper way, without blame and auspiciously.
2. The second yang line approaches yin, but firm strength at the center allows it to join the first line in returning to the proper way, without losing itself through restraint.
3. The third yang line is excessively firm, lacks the center and draws close to the fourth yin line. Held back and unable to advance, it resembles a wheel losing its spokes; unbalanced firmness also creates conflict.
4. The fourth yin line restrains the yang lines and initially faces injury and fear. Yielding conduct in a correct position and openness to others gain help from above and below, removing fear without blame.
5. The fifth yang line occupies the honored center and joins the lines of Xun in restraining Qian. Inner trustworthiness allows its strength to unite and benefit those nearby.
6. Accumulation reaches its extreme and yin and yang unite, like clouds finally becoming rain. Yet yin influence is now strong, so further advance risks conflict with yang firmness.

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

Xiao Xu describes strength subject to modest restraint and accumulation. Conditions are gathering but are not yet sufficient for full action. Remain correct and build strength, rather than treating limited accumulation as completion.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

1. Return to one’s proper path without being diverted by outside restraints; this can avoid faults and be auspicious.
2. Like-minded people draw one another back to the proper path, helping preserve themselves amid obstruction.
3. Excessive forceful advance near restraint is like a wheel coming loose so the carriage cannot proceed; rigidity can also disrupt relationships.
4. Meet pressure with sincerity and receptiveness, receiving help from above and below. Fear and worry can then be removed without blame.
5. Sincerity connects those of the same kind, allowing accumulated resources to benefit neighbors rather than oneself alone.
6. Accumulation reaches a stage of completion, like rain finally falling. Further forceful advance would upset the balance of firmness and yielding; know when to stop.

Read the source

• 中国哲学书电子化计划 · 周易
• 维基文库 · 朱熹《周易本义》（四库全书本）卷一