Guai

䷪ Qian below, Dui above

The Yi Jing

The Guai Hexagram: Proclaim it in the court of the sovereign king; there is a sincere command, yet danger. Issue announcements from the fief; it is not favorable for mobilizing troops, but favorable for going forward.

First Nine: The toes are strong; advancing cannot achieve victory, and will bring disaster.

Second Nine: Shout with vigilance; there is warfare at night; no need for concern.

Third Nine: The cheekbones show strength; there is danger. The noble person resolves and resolves again; walking alone meets rain. If angered by being drenched, there is no disaster.

Fourth Nine: The buttocks have no skin; walking is difficult and halting. Lead a sheep; regret vanishes. Hearing words yet not believing them.

Fifth Nine: Resolve like the amaranth and the mallow; walking the middle path brings no disaster.

Top Six: No command; ultimately there is danger.

The Tuan Commentary:

Guai means resolution; firmness resolves softness. Vigorous yet joyful, resolute yet harmonious. Proclaiming it in the court of the sovereign king is because the soft overrides the five firm lines. With a sincere command and danger, the danger itself becomes illustrious. Issuing announcements from the fief, not favorable for mobilizing troops, is because what is esteemed will fall into difficulty. Favorable for going forward is because the growth of firmness will bring an end.

The Xiang Commentary:

Water and lake rising to heaven forms the image of Guai. The noble person, understanding this, bestows emoluments on subordinates; dwelling in virtue invites resentment.

Unable to win yet advancing: this is disaster.

Warfare at night: because the middle path is attained.

The noble person resolves and resolves again: ultimately there is no disaster.

Walking difficult and halting: because the position is not appropriate. Hearing words yet not believing: because the ears are not discerning.

Walking the middle path with no disaster: because the middle path is not yet fully realized.

The danger of no command: ultimately it cannot endure.