Hexagram 64 of 64

Wèi Jì — Not Yet Finished

火水未济 · Legge: Wei Chi · Fire above, Water below

Not yet finished: the fox that almost crossed and dipped its tail, and no direction is advantageous.

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The Judgment

Wèi Jì. Progress and success. A young fox that has nearly crossed, when its tail gets immersed. There will be no advantage in any way.

Legge’s 1882 translation

Wei Chi intimates progress and success (in the circumstances which it implies). (We see) a young fox that has nearly crossed (the stream), when its tail gets immersed. There will be no advantage in any way.

The Image

LXIV. (The trigram representing) water and that for fire above it form Wei Chi. The superior man, in accordance with this, carefully discriminates among (the qualities of) things, and the (different) positions they (naturally) occupy.

火在水上,未济;君子以慎辨物居方。

The Six Lines

The first six · 初六

The first line, divided, shows its subject whose tail gets immersed. There will be occasion for regret.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The first six, divided, shows its subject (like a fox) whose tail gets immersed. There will be occasion for regret.

The second nine · 九二

The second line, undivided, shows its subject dragging back his carriage-wheel. With firmness and correctness there will be good fortune.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The second nine, undivided, shows its subject dragging back his (carriage-)wheel. With firmness and correctness there will be good fortune.

The third six · 六三

The third line, divided, shows its subject, with the state of things not yet remedied, advancing on; which will lead to evil. But there will be advantage in trying to cross the great stream.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The third six, divided, shows its subject, with (the state of things) not yet remedied, advancing on; which will lead to evil. But there will be advantage in (trying to) cross the great stream.

The fourth nine · 九四

The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject by firm correctness obtaining good fortune, so that all occasion for repentance disappears. Let him stir himself up, as if he were invading the Demon region, where for three years rewards will come to him from the great kingdom.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fourth nine, undivided, shows its subject by firm correctness obtaining good fortune, so that all occasion for repentance disappears. Let him stir himself up, as if he were invading the Demon region, where for three years rewards will come to him (and his troops) from the great kingdom.

The fifth six · 六五

The fifth line, divided, shows its subject by firm correctness obtaining good fortune, and having no occasion for repentance. The brightness of a superior man, and the possession of sincerity. There will be good fortune.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fifth six, divided, shows its subject by firm correctness obtaining good fortune, and having no occasion for repentance. (We see in him) the brightness of a superior man, and the possession of sincerity. There will be good fortune.

The topmost nine · 上九

The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject full of confidence and therefore feasting. There will be no error. Cherish this confidence, till he gets his head immersed, it will fail of what is right.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The topmost nine, undivided, shows its subject full of confidence and therefore feasting (quietly). There will be no error. (If he) cherish this confidence, till he (is like the fox who) gets his head immersed, it will fail of what is right.

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