Hexagram 50, Dǐng (The Cauldron): Line 4
鼎卦九四 · 火风鼎 · 中文版
九四：鼎折足，覆公餗，其形渥，凶。
The line (Legge)
The fourth NINE, undivided, shows the caldron with its feet broken; and its contents, designed for the ruler's use, overturned and spilt. Its Subject will be made to blush for shame. There will be evil.
Small Image commentary
'The contents designed for the ruler's use are overturned and spilt:' - how can (the subject of the line) be trusted?
象曰：覆公餗，信如何也。
In plain words
The cauldron's leg breaks, the duke's meal is spilled, and one is covered in it: misfortune. The fourth line is in the minister's place but relies on the unsuitable first line and is not equal to its task. The Great Commentary says: weak virtue in a high place, little knowledge with great plans, little strength with heavy duties; few escape disaster. The Small Image asks: when the duke's meal is spilled, what becomes of trust?
Applying it to your situation
If you have taken on more than you can carry, this line suggests owning up early and asking for help. Have you taken on something you cannot hold?
Position
A solid (yang) line in the fourth place, which is a yin (even) place, so it is not in its proper place. Its partner is line 1; one is yin and the other yang, so they respond to each other.
If this line moves
With this line moving alone, Dǐng changes into Hexagram 18 Gǔ (Repairing the Spoiled). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·鼎之蛊.
The hexagram
Hexagram 50 Dǐng (The Cauldron). The Judgment: Ding gives the intimation of great progress and success.
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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. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.