Hexagram 8: Bǐ (Holding Together)
水地比 · 第 8 卦 · Water over Earth · 中文版
The Judgment
Bi indicates that (under the conditions which it supposes) there is good fortune. But let (the principal party intended in it) re-examine himself, (as if) by divination, whether his virtue be great, unintermitting, and firm. If it be so, there will be no error. Those who have not rest will then come to him; and with those who are (too) late in coming it will be ill.
比：吉。原筮元永贞，无咎。不宁方来，后夫凶。
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuan)
'Bi indicates that there is good fortune:' - (the name) Bi denotes help; (and we see in the figure) inferiors docilely following (their superior). 'Let (the principal party intended in it) reexamine himself, (as if) by divination, whether his virtue be great, unintermitting, and firm; - if it be so, there will be no error: - all this follows from the position of the strong line in the centre (of the upper trigram). 'Those who have not rest will come to him:' - high and low will respond to its subject. 'With those who are (too) late in coming it will be ill:' - (for them) the way (of good fortune here indicated) has been exhausted.
彖曰：比，吉也；比，辅也，下顺从也。原筮元永贞，无咎，以刚中也。不宁方来，上下应也。后夫凶，其道穷也。
The Great Image
(The trigram representing) the earth, and over it (that representing) water, form Bi. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, established the various states and maintained an affectionate relation to their princes.
象曰：地上有水，比；先王以建万国，亲诸侯。
The six lines
Line 1 (first): The first SIX, divided, shows its subject seeking by his sincerity to win the attachment of his object. There will be no error. Let (the breast) be full of sincerity as an earthenware vessel is of its contents, and it will in the end bring other advantages.
From 'the seeking union with its object' shown in the first SIX, (divided),there will be other advantages.
初六：有孚比之，无咎。有孚盈缶，终来有它，吉。 象曰：比之初六，有他吉也。 · 单爻页
Line 2 (second): In the second SIX, divided, we see the movement towards union and attachment proceeding from the inward (mind). With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
'The movement towards union and attachment proceeds from the inward (mind):' - (the party concerned) does not fail in what is proper to himself
六二：比之自内，贞吉。 象曰：比之自内，不自失也。 · 单爻页
Line 3 (third): In the third SIX, divided, we see its subject seeking for union with such as ought not to be associated with.
'Union is sought with such as ought not to be associated with:' - but will not injury be the result?
六三：比之匪人。 象曰：比之匪人，不亦伤乎！ · 单爻页
Line 4 (fourth): In the fourth SIX, divided, we see its subject seeking for union with the one beyond himself. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
'Union is sought (by the party intended here) with one beyond himself, and (in this case) with a worthy object:' - he is following (the ruler) above him.
六四：外比之，贞吉。 象曰：外比于贤，以从上也。 · 单爻页
Line 5 (fifth): The fifth NINE, undivided, affords the most illustrious instance of seeking union and attachment. (We seem to see in it) the king urging his pursuit of the game (only) in three directions, and allowing the escape of all the animals before him, while the people of his towns do not warn one another (to prevent it). There will be good fortune.
'The good fortune belonging to the most illustrious instance of seeking union and attachment' appears in the correct and central position (of the fifth line, undivided). (The king's) neglecting (the animals) confronting him (and then fleeing), and (only) taking those who present themselves as it were obediently, is seen in his allowing the escape of those in front of him.' 'That the people of his towns do not warn one another (to prevent such escape),' shows how he, in his high eminence, has made them pursue the due course.
九五：显比，王用三驱，失前禽。邑人不诫，吉。 象曰：显比之吉，位正中也。舍逆取顺，失前禽也。邑人不诫，上使中也。 · 单爻页
Line 6 (sixth (top)): In the topmost SIX, divided, we see one seeking union and attachment without having taken the first step (to such an end). There will be evil.
'He seeks union and attachment without taking the first (step to such an end):' - there is no possibility of a (good) issue.
上六：比之无首，凶。 象曰：比之无首，无所终也。 · 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.