Hexagram 47: Kùn (Exhaustion)
泽水困 · 第 47 卦 · Lake over Water · 中文版
The Judgment
In (the condition denoted by) Kun there may (yet be) progress and success. For the firm and correct, the (really) great man, there will be good fortune. He will fall into no error. If he make speeches, his words cannot be made good.
困：亨，贞，大人吉，无咎，有言不信。
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuan)
In Kun (we see) the strong (lines) covered and obscured (by the weak). We have in it (the attribute of) perilousness going on to that of satisfaction. Who is it but the superior man that, though straitened, still does not fail in making progress to his proper end? 'For the firm and correct, the (really) great man, there will be good fortune:' - this is shown by the central positions of the strong (lines). 'If he make speeches, his words cannot be made good:' - to be fond of arguing or pleading is the way to be reduced to extremity.
彖曰：困，刚掩也。险以说，困而不失其所亨，其唯君子乎？贞大人吉，以刚中也。有言不信，尚口乃穷也。
The Great Image
(The trigram representing) a marsh, and (below it that for a defile, which has drained the other dry so that there is) no water in it, form Kun. The superior man, in accordance with this, will sacrifice his life in order to carry out his purpose.
象曰：泽无水，困；君子以致命遂志。
The six lines
Line 1 (first): The first SIX, divided, shows its subject with bare buttocks straitened under the stump of a tree. He enters a dark valley, and for three years has no prospect (of deliverance).
'He enters a dark valley:' - so benighted is he, and without clear vision.
初六：臀困于株木，入于幽谷，三岁不觌。 象曰：入于幽谷，幽不明也。 · 单爻页
Line 2 (second): The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject straitened amidst his wine and viands. There come to him anon the red knee-covers (of the ruler). It will be well for him (to maintain his sincerity as) in sacrificing. Active operations (on his part) will lead to evil, but he will be free from blame.
'He is straitened amidst his wine and viands:' - (but) his position is central, and there will be ground for congratulation.
九二：困于酒食，朱绂方来，利用享祀，征凶，无咎。 象曰：困于酒食，中有庆也。 · 单爻页
Line 3 (third): The third SIX, divided, shows its subject straitened before a (frowning) rock. He lays hold of thorns. He enters his palace, and does not see his wife. There will be evil.
'He lays hold of thorns:' - (this is suggested by the position of the line) above the strong (line). 'He enters his palace, and does not see his wife:' - this is inauspicious.
六三：困于石，据于蒺藜，入于其宫，不见其妻，凶。 象曰：据于蒺藜，乘刚也。入于其宫，不见其妻，不祥也。 · 单爻页
Line 4 (fourth): The fourth NINE, undivided shows its subject proceeding very slowly (to help the subject of the first line), who is straitened by the carriage adorned with metal in front of him. There will be occasion for regret, but the end will be good.
'He proceeds very slowly (to help the subject of the first line):' - his aim is directed to (help) that lower (line). Although he is not in his appropriate place, he and that other will (in the end) be together.
九四：来徐徐，困于金车，吝，有终。 象曰：来徐徐，志在下也。虽不当位，有与也。 · 单爻页
Line 5 (fifth): The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject with his nose and feet cut off. He is straitened by (his ministers in their) scarlet aprons. He is leisurely in his movements, however, and is satisfied. It will be well for him to be (as sincere) as in sacrificing (to spiritual beings).
'His nose and feet are cut off:' - his aim has not yet been gained. 'He is leisurely, however, in his movements, and is satisfied:' - his position is central and (his virtue) is correct. 'It will be well for him to be (as sincere as) in sacrificing:' - so shall he receive blessing.
九五：劓刖，困于赤绂，乃徐有说，利用祭祀。 象曰：劓刖，志未得也。乃徐有说，以中直也。利用祭祀，受福也。 · 单爻页
Line 6 (sixth (top)): The sixth SIX, divided, shows its subject straitened, as if bound with creepers; or n a high and dangerous position, and saying (to himself), 'If I move, I shall repent it.' If he do repent of former errors, there will be good fortune in his going forward.
'He is straitened as if bound with creepers: (his spirit and action) are unsuitable. '(He says), "If I move, I shall repent of it." And he does repent (of former errors), which leads to good fortune:' - so he (now) goes on.
上六：困于葛藟，于臲卼，曰动悔。有悔，征吉。 象曰：困于葛藟，未当也。动悔有悔，吉行也。 · 单爻页
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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.