Clouds and thunder: The image of Difficulty at the Beginning. Thus the superior man Brings order out of confusion.

*** Hesitation and hindrance. It furthers one to remain persevering. It furthers one to appoint helpers.

*** Difficulties pile up. Horse and wagon part. He is not a robber; He wants to woo when the time comes. The maiden is chaste, She does not pledge herself. Ten years--then she pledges herself.

*** Whoever hunts deer without the forester Only loses his way in the forest. The superior man understands the signs of the time And prefers to desist. To go on brings humiliation.

*** Horse and wagon part. Strive for union. To go on brings good fortune. Everything acts to further.

*** Difficulties in blessing. A little perseverance brings good fortune. Great perseverance brings misfortune.

*** Horse and wagon part. Bloody tears flow.

Difficulty at the Beginning works supreme success, Furthering through perseverance. Nothing should be undertaken. It furthers one to appoint helpers.

Heaven and water go their opposite ways: The image of Conflict. Thus in all his transactions the superior man Carefully considers the beginning.

*** If one does not perpetuate the affair, There is little gossip. In the end, good fortune comes.

*** One cannot engage in conflict; One returns home, gives way. The people of his town, Three hundred households, Remain free of guilt.

*** To nourish oneself on ancient virtue induces perseverance. Danger. In the end, good fortune comes. If by chance you are in the service of a king, Seek not works.

*** One cannot engage in conflict. One turns back and submits to fate, Changes one's attitude, And finds peace in perseverance. Good fortune.

*** To contend before him Brings good fortune.

*** Even if by chance a leather belt is bestowed on one, By the end of morning It will have been snatched away three times.

Conflict. You are sincere And are being obstructed. A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune. Going through to the end brings misfortune. It furthers one to see the great man. It does not further one to cross the great water.

Heaven above, the lake below: The image of Treading. Thus the superior man discriminates between high and low, And thereby fortifies the thinking of the people.

*** Simple conduct. Progress without blame.

*** Treading a smooth, level course. The perseverance of a dark man Brings good fortune.

*** A one-eyed man is able to see, A lame man is able to tread. He treads on the tail of the tiger. The tiger bites the man. Misfortune. Thus does a warrior act on behalf of his great prince.

*** He treads on the tail of the tiger. Caution and circumspection Lead ultimately to good fortune.

*** Resolute conduct. Perseverance with awareness of danger.

*** Look to your conduct and weigh the favorable signs. When everything is fulfilled, supreme good fortune comes.

Treading. Treading upon the tail of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success.

Fire in heaven above: The image of Possession in Great Measure. Thus the superior man curbs evil and furthers good, And thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven.

*** No relationship with what is harmful; There is no blame in this. If one remains conscious of difficulty, One remains without blame.

*** A big wagon for loading. One may undertake something. No blame.

*** A prince offers it to the Son of Heaven. A petty man cannot do this.

*** He makes a difference Between himself and his neighbor. No blame.

*** He whose truth is accessible, yet dignified, Has good fortune.

*** He is blessed by heaven. Good fortune. Nothing that does not further.

Possession in Great Measure. Supreme success.

Water over wood: the image of The Well. Thus the superior man encourages the people at their work, And exhorts them to help one another.

*** One does not drink the mud of the well. No animals come to an old well.

*** At the well hole one shoots fishes. The jug is broken and leaks.

*** The well is cleaned, but no one drinks from it. This is my heart's sorrow, For one might draw from it. If the king were clear-minded, Good fortune might be enjoyed in common.

*** The well is being lined. No blame.

*** In the well there is a clear, cold spring From which one can drink.

*** One draws from the well Without hindrance. It is dependable. Supreme good fortune.

The Well. The town may be changed, But the well cannot be changed. It neither decreases nor increases. They come and go and draw from the well. If one gets down almost to the water And the rope does not go all the way, Or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune.

The mountain rests upon the earth: The image of Splitting Apart. Thus those above can insure their position Only by giving generously to those below.

*** The leg of the bed is split. Those who persevere are destroyed. Misfortune.

*** The bed is split at the edge. Those who persevere are destroyed. Misfortune.

*** He splits with them. No blame.

*** The bed is split up to the skin. Misfortune.

*** A shoal of fishes. Favor comes through the court ladies. Everything acts to further.

*** There is a large fruit still uneaten. The superior man receives a carriage. The house of the inferior man is split apart.

Splitting Apart. It does not further one To go anywhere.

Thunder in the middle of the lake: The image of Following. Thus the superior man at nightfall Goes indoors for rest and recuperation.

*** The standard is changing. Perseverance brings good fortune. To go out of the door in company Produces deeds.

*** If one clings to the little boy, One loses the strong man.

*** If one clings to the strong man, One loses the little boy. Through following one finds what one seeks. It furthers one to remain persevering.

*** Following creates success. Perseverance brings misfortune. To go one's own way with sincerity brings clarity. How could there be blame in this?

*** Sincere in the good. Good fortune.

*** He meets with firm allegiance And is still further bound. The king introduces him To the Western Mountain.

Following has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.

Thunder and lightning: The image of Biting Through. Thus the kings of former times made firm the laws Through clearly defined penalties.

*** His feet are fastened in the stocks, So that his toes disappear. No blame.

*** Bites through tender meat, So that his nose disappears. No blame.

*** Bites on old dried meat And strikes on something poisonous. Slight humiliation. No blame.

*** Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties And to be persevering. Good fortune.

*** Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger. No blame.

*** His neck is fastened in the wooden cangue, So that his ears disappear. Misfortune.

Biting Through has success. It is favorable to let justice be administered.