Dun
Timely Withdrawal
When you receive Hexagram 33, Dun, the I Ching turns your attention to timely withdrawal. Withdrawal. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Withdrawal. Success in its season. In small things, it remains advantageous to hold firm and correct.
Classical (Legge)Thun indicates successful progress (in its circumstances). To a small extent it will (still) be advantageous to be firm and correct.
The Image
Sky above the mountain. One who is centered keeps distance from the petty, with dignified gravity.
Classical (Legge)(The trigram representing) the sky and below it that for a mountain form Thun. The superior man, in accordance with this, keeps small men at a distance, not by showing that he hates them, but by his own dignified gravity.
The Changing Lines
The tail is in danger. He should not try to undertake anything.
Classical (Legge)(The subject of this line shows himself as) having his tail in danger. He should not try to undertake anything.
He holds his purpose fast as if by a thong of yellow ox-hide, which cannot be broken.
Classical (Legge)He holds (his purpose) fast as if by (a thong made from the) hide of a yellow ox, which cannot be broken.
Bound in retreat, he is ill and in peril. He tends to those in his care. Good fortune.
Classical (Legge)He is in a retreat but bound (to the retreating subject). He is ill, and in peril. (But) he nourishes his servants and concubines (properly). There will be good fortune.
Withdrawing despite his attachments. For the centered one, good fortune. A lesser person cannot achieve this.
Classical (Legge)Retiring notwithstanding his likings. In a superior man this will lead to good fortune; a small man cannot attain to this.
He withdraws in an admirable way. With firm and correct, good fortune.
Classical (Legge)He retires in an admirable way. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
He withdraws in a noble way. Advantageous in every respect.
Classical (Legge)He retires in a noble way. It will be advantageous in every respect.
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