Hexagram 10: Lǚ (Treading)
天泽履 · 第 10 卦 · Heaven over Lake · 中文版
The Judgment
(Lu suggests the idea of) one treading on the tail of a tiger, which does not bite him. There will be progress and success.
履：履虎尾，不咥人，亨。
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuan)
In Lu we have (the symbol of) weakness treading on (that of) strength. (The lower trigram) indicates pleasure and satisfaction, and responds to (the upper) indicating strength. Hence (it is said), 'He treads on the tail of a tiger, which does not bite him; there will be progress and success.' (The fifth line is) strong, in the centre, and in its correct place. (Its subject) occupies the God-(given) position, and falls into no distress or failure; - (his) action will be brilliant.
彖曰：履，柔履刚也。说而应乎乾，是以履虎尾，不咥人，亨。刚中正，履帝位而不疚，光明也。
The Great Image
(The trigram representing) the sky above, and below it (that representing the waters of) a marsh, form Lu. The superior man, in accordance with this, discriminates between high and low, and gives settlement to the aims of the people.
象曰：上天下泽，履；君子以辨上下，定民志。
The six lines
Line 1 (first): The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading his accustomed path. If he go forward, there will be no error.
'He treads his accustomed path and goes forward:' - singly and exclusively he carries out his (long-cherished) wishes.
初九：素履，往无咎。 象曰：素履之往，独行愿也. · 单爻页
Line 2 (second): The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading the path that is level and easy - a quiet and solitary man, to whom, if he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune.
'A quiet and solitary man, to whom, being firm and correct, there will be good fortune:' - holding the due mean, he will not allow himself to be thrown into disorder.
九二：履道坦坦，幽人贞吉。 象曰：幽人贞吉，中不自乱也。 · 单爻页
Line 3 (third): The third SIX, divided, shows a one-eyed man (who thinks he) can see; a lame man (who thinks he) can walk well; one who treads on the tail of a tiger and is bitten. (All this indicates) ill fortune. We have a (mere) bravo acting the part of a great ruler.
'A one-eyed man (who thinks that he) can see:' - he is not fit to see clearly. 'A lame man (who thinks that he can) tread well:' - one cannot walk along with him. 'The ill fortune of being bitten' arises from the place not being the proper one for him. 'A (mere) bravo acting the part of a great ruler:' - this is owing to his aims being (too) violent.
六三：眇能视，跛能履，履虎尾，咥人，凶。武人为于大君。 象曰：眇能视，不足以有明也。跛能履，不足以与行也。咥人之凶，位不当也。武人为于大君，志刚也。 · 单爻页
Line 4 (fourth): The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading on the tail of a tiger. He becomes full of apprehensive caution, and in the end there will be good fortune.
'He becomes full of apprehensive caution, and in the end there will be good fortune:' - his aim takes effect.
九四：履虎尾，愬愬，终吉。 象曰：愬愬终吉，志行也。 · 单爻页
Line 5 (fifth): The fifth NINE, undivided, shows the resolute tread of its subject. Though he be firm and correct, there will be peril.
'He treads resolutely; and though he be firm and correct, there is peril:' - this is due to his being in the position that is correct and appropriate to him.
九五：夬履，贞厉。 象曰：夬履贞厉，位正当也。 · 单爻页
Line 6 (sixth (top)): The sixth NINE, undivided, tells us to look at (the whole course) that is trodden, and examine the presage which that gives. If it be complete and without failure, there will be great good fortune.
'There will be great good fortune,' and that in the occupancy of the topmost line: - this is great matter for congratulation.
上九：视履考祥，其旋元吉。 象曰：元吉在上，大有庆也。 · 单爻页
Previous: Hexagram 9 Xiǎo Chù · Next: Hexagram 11 Tài
English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text, checked against ctext.org. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction.