Pi
Stagnation
When you receive Hexagram 12, Pi, the I Ching turns your attention to stagnation. The great departs and the small arrives. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
The great departs and the small arrives. Understanding between people fails. Conditions are unfavorable to the firm and correct course of the centered one.
Classical (Legge)Phi indicates that (in the state which it denotes) there is the want of good understanding between the (different classes of) men (in it); and its indication is unfavourable to the firm and correct course of the superior man. (We see in it) the great gone and the small come.
The Image
Heaven and earth stand apart, without communion. Pi. One who is centered restrains the display of virtue and avoids the calamities that threaten. No opportunity for glory or reward.
Classical (Legge)(The trigrams of) heaven and earth, not in intercommunication, form Phi. The superior man, in accordance with this, restrains (the manifestation of) his virtue, and avoids the calamities (that threaten). There is no opportunity of conferring on him the glory of emolument.
The Changing Lines
Pulling up ribbon grass, it brings other stalks whose roots are joined. Firm and correct brings good fortune and progress.
Classical (Legge)When the (first subject) pulls up the ribbon grass, he pulls up others whose roots are connected with his. With firm correctness (on his part), there will be good fortune and progress.
Bearing with the uncultivated, acting for the greater good. The small person prospers here. The great one works to remove the obstruction.
Classical (Legge)He bears with (the uncultivated), being in the position of one acting (for the greater good). The small man (so placed) will prosper, but the great man causes the prevailing obstruction to be removed.
Bearing shame and confusion within.
Classical (Legge)(The subject of this line) bears with (himself) shame (for the favour he has received without deserving it).
Acting in accord with heaven's ordination. No error. Companions come to share in the happiness.
Classical (Legge)He acts in accordance with the ordination (of Heaven), and commits no error. His companions will come and share in his happiness.
Arresting the course of mutual alienation. The great one is fortunate. 'We may perish! We may perish!' So the state of things holds firm, as if bound to a clump of bushy mulberry trees.
Classical (Legge)He arrests the course of the mutual alienation. The great man (so placed) will be fortunate. But let him say, 'We may perish! We may perish!' (so shall the state of things) be (firm, as if) bound to a clump of bushy mulberry trees.
The overthrow and removal of obstruction. Before this, there was stagnation. Afterwards, joy.
Classical (Legge)The overthrow (and removal of the condition) of distress and obstruction. Before this there was that distress and obstruction; afterwards there will be joy.
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