Hexagram 6: Sòng (Conflict)
天水讼 · 第 6 卦 · Heaven over Water · 中文版
The Judgment
Song intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune, while, if he must prosecute the contention to the (bitter) end, there will be evil. It will be advantageous to see the great man; it will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.
讼：有孚，窒。惕中吉。终凶。利见大人，不利涉大川。
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuan)
The upper portion of Song is (the trigram representing) strength, and the lower (that representing) peril. (The coming together of) strength and peril gives (the idea in) Song. 'Song intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune:' - a strong (line) has come and got the central place (in the lower trigram).'If he must prosecute the contention to the (bitter) end, there will be evil:' - contention is not a thing to be carried on to extremity. 'It will be advantageous to meet with the great man:' - what he sets a value on is the due mean, and the correct place. 'It will not be advantageous to cross the great stream:' - one (attempting to do so) would find himself in an abyss.
彖曰：讼，上刚下险，险而健，讼。讼有孚窒，惕中吉，刚来而得中也。终凶，讼不可成也。利见大人，尚中正也。不利涉大川，入于渊也。
The Great Image
(The trigram representing) heaven and (that representing) water, moving away from each other, form Song. The superior man, in accordance with this, in the transaction of affairs takes good counsel about his first steps.
象曰：天与水违行，讼；君子以作事谋始。
The six lines
Line 1 (first): The first SIX, divided, shows its subject not perpetuating the matter about which (the contention is). He will suffer the small (injury) of being spoken against, but the end will be fortunate.
'He does not perpetuate the matter about which (the contention is):' - contention should not be prolonged. Although 'he may suffer the small (injury) of being spoken against,' his argument is clear.
初六：不永所事，小有言，终吉。 象曰：不永所事，讼不可长也。虽小有言，其辩明也。 · 单爻页
Line 2 (second): The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. If he retire and keep concealed (where) the inhabitants of his city are (only) three hundred families, he will fall into no mistake.
'He is unequal to the contention; he retires and keeps concealed, stealthily withdrawing from it:' - for him from his lower place to contend with (the stronger one) above, would be to (invite) calamity, as if he brought it with his hand to himself.
九二：不克讼，归而逋，其邑人三百户，无眚。 象曰：不克讼，归逋窜也。自下讼上，患至掇也。 · 单爻页
Line 3 (third): The third SIX, divided, shows its subject keeping in the old place assigned for his support, and firmly correct. Perilous as the position is, there will be good fortune in the end. Should he perchance engage in the king's business, he will not (claim the merit of) achievement.
'He confines himself to the support assigned to him of old:' - (thus) following those above him, he will have good fortune.
六三：食旧德，贞厉，终吉，或从王事，无成。 象曰：食旧德，从上吉也。 · 单爻页
Line 4 (fourth): The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. He returns to (the study of Heaven's) ordinances, changes (his wish to contend), and rests in being firm and correct. There will be good fortune.
'He returns to (the study of Heaven's) ordinances, changes (his wish to contend), and rests in being firm and correct:' - he does not fail (in doing what is right).
九四：不克讼，复即命，渝安贞，吉。 象曰：复即命，渝安贞，不失也。 · 单爻页
Line 5 (fifth): S. The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject contending - and with great good fortune.
'He contends; - and 'with great fortune: - this is shown by his holding the due mean and being in the correct place.
九五：讼元吉。 象曰：讼元吉，以中正也。 · 单爻页
Line 6 (sixth (top)): The topmost NINE, undivided, shows how its subject may have the leathern belt conferred on him (by the sovereign), and thrice it shall be taken from him in a morning.
'He receives the robe through his contention:' - but still be is not deserving of respect.
上九：或锡之鞶带，终朝三褫之。 象曰：以讼受服，亦不足敬也。 · 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.