Hexagram 12 of 64

Pǐ — Heaven and Earth Part

天地否 · Legge: Phi · Heaven above, Earth below

The two halves have stopped speaking; in such a season a good person does not put his virtue on display.

obstructiondeclinerestraint

The Judgment

In Pǐ there is the want of good understanding between the men, and its indication is unfavorable to the firm and correct course of the superior man. We see in it the great gone and the little come.

Legge’s 1882 translation

In Phi there is the want of good understanding between the (different classes of) men, and its indication is unfavorable to the firm and correct course of the superior man. We see in it the great gone and the little come.

The Image

XII. (The trigrams of) heaven and earth, not in intercommunication, form Phi. The superior man, in accordance with this, restrains (the manifestation) of) his virtue, and avoids the calamities (that threaten him). There is no opportunity of conferring on him the glory of emolument.

天地不交,否;君子以俭德辟难,不可荣以禄。

The Six Lines

The first six · 初六

The first line, divided, suggests the idea of grass pulled up, and bringing with it other stalks with whose roots it is connected. With firm correctness, there will be good fortune and progress.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The first six, divided, suggests the idea of grass pulled up, and bringing with it other stalks with whose roots it is connected. With firm correctness (on the part of its subject), there will be good fortune and progress.

The second six · 六二

The second line, divided, shows its subject patient and obedient. To the small man there will be good fortune. If the great man as the distress and obstruction require, he will have success.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The second six, divided, shows its subject patient and obedient. To the small man (comporting himself so) there will be good fortune. If the great man (comport himself) as the distress and obstruction require, he will have success.

The third six · 六三

The third line, divided, shows its subject ashamed of the purpose folded.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The third six, divided, shows its subject ashamed of the purpose folded (in his breast).

The fourth nine · 九四

The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject acting in accordance with the ordination, and committing no error. His companions will come and share in his happiness.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fourth nine, undivided, shows its subject acting in accordance with the ordination (of Heaven), and committing no error. His companions will come and share in his happiness.

The fifth nine · 九五

In the fifth line, undivided, we see him who brings the distress and obstruction to a close, the great man and fortunate., 'We may perish! We may perish!' bound to a clump of bushy mulberry trees.

Legge’s 1882 translation

In the fifth nine, undivided, we see him who brings the distress and obstruction to a close,-the great man and fortunate. (But let him say), 'We may perish! We may perish!' (so shall the state of things become firm, as if bound to a clump of bushy mulberry trees.

The topmost nine · 上九

The sixth line, undivided, shows the overthrow the condition of distress and obstruction. Before this there was that condition. Hereafter there will be joy.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The sixth nine, undivided, shows the overthrow (and removal of) the condition of distress and obstruction. Before this there was that condition. Hereafter there will be joy.

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