Shih

Line 06

Top Six

The great ruler has a mandate. Found states and continue households. Do not employ petty people.

Commentary

The great ruler has a mandate in order to reward merit rightly. Petty people must not be employed, for they would surely throw the state into disorder.

Line 05

Six in the Fifth

In the field there is game. Favorable to uphold the charge. No blame. The elder son leads the army; the younger son carts corpses. Perseverance brings misfortune.

Commentary

The elder son leads the army by moving through the center. The younger son carts corpses because he is employed improperly.

Line 04

Six in the Fourth

The army camps on the left. No blame.

Commentary

Camping on the left, with no blame, means not losing the usual course.

Line 03

Six in the Third

The army perhaps carts corpses. Misfortune.

Commentary

If the army perhaps carts corpses, it has won no great merit.

Line 02

Nine in the Second

In the midst of the army: good fortune, no blame. The king thrice bestows commands.

Commentary

Good fortune in the midst of the army means receiving Heaven's favor. The king thrice bestows commands because he embraces the myriad states.

Line 01

Initial Six

The army sets out by discipline. If the order is not good, misfortune.

Commentary

The army sets out by discipline: to lose discipline is misfortune.

7. Shih

Judgment

Judgment Commentary

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K'un

K'an