Hexagram 29 of 64

Kǎn — Water Within Water

坎为水 · Legge: Khan · Water above, Water below

Water in water: the way through is not around but through, with a mind that stays penetrating.

dangersincerityperseveranceobstruction

The Judgment

Kǎn. The possession of sincerity, through which the mind is penetrating. Action will be of high value.

Legge’s 1882 translation

Khan, here repeated, shows the possession of sincerity, through which the mind is penetrating. Action (in accordance with this) will be of high value.

The Image

XXIX. (The representation of) water flowing on continuously forms the repeated Khan. The superior man, in accordance with this, maintains constantly the virtue (of his heart) and (the integrity of) his conduct, and practises the business of instruction.

水洊至,习坎;君子以常德行,习教事。

The Six Lines

The first six · 初六

The first line, divided, shows its subject in the double defile, and entering a cavern within it. There will be evil.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The first six, divided, shows its subject in the double defile, and (yet) entering a cavern within it. There will be evil.

The second nine · 九二

The second line, undivided, shows its subject in all the peril of the defile. He will, however, get a little that he seeks.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The second nine, undivided, shows its subject in all the peril of the defile. He will, however, get a little (of the deliverance) that he seeks.

The third six · 六三

The third line, divided, shows its subject, whether he comes or goes, confronted by a defile. All is peril to him and unrest. His endeavors will lead him into the cavern of the pit. There should be no action in such a case.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The third six, divided, shows its subject, whether he comes or goes (=descends or ascends), confronted by a defile. All is peril to him and unrest. (His endeavors) will lead him into the cavern of the pit. There should be no action (in such a case).

The fourth six · 六四

The fourth line, divided, shows its subject, with a bottle of spirits, and a subsidiary basket of rice, while are of earthenware. He introduces his important lessons intelligence admits. There will in the end be no error.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fourth six, divided, shows its subject (at a feast), with (simply) a bottle of spirits, and a subsidiary basket of rice, while (the cups and bowls) are (only) of earthenware. He introduces his important lessons (as his ruler's) intelligence admits. There will in the end be no error.

The fifth nine · 九五

The fifth line, undivided, shows the water of the defile not yet full, so that it might flow away; but order will soon be brought about. There will be no error.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fifth nine, undivided, shows the water of the defile not yet full, (so that it might flow away); but order will (soon) be brought about. There will be no error.

The topmost six · 上六

The topmost line, divided, shows its subject bound with cords of three strands or two strands, and placed in the thicket of thorns. But in three years he does not learn the course for him to pursue. There will be evil.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The topmost six, divided, shows its subject bound with cords of three strands or two strands, and placed in the thicket of thorns. But in three years he does not learn the course for him to pursue. There will be evil.

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