Knotlore

Hexagram 43

Decisive Break

夬 · guài

Upper trigram
兌 · lake
Lower trigram
乾 · heaven

Judgement

夬：揚于王庭，孚號有厲。告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。

Kwâi requires (in him who would fulfil its meaning) the exhibition (of the culprit's guilt) in the royal court, and a sincere and earnest appeal (for sympathy and support), with a consciousness of the peril (involved in cutting off the criminal). He should (also) make announcement in his own city, and show that it will not be well to have recourse at once to arms. (In this way) there will be advantage in whatever he shall go forward to.

James Legge, 1882

Lines · bottom to top

  1. Line 1 初九

    初九：壯于前趾，往不勝為咎。

    The first line, undivided, shows its subject in (the pride of) strength advancing with his toes. He goes forward, but will not succeed. There will be ground for blame.

  2. Line 2 九二

    九二：惕號，莫夜有戎，勿恤。

    The second line, undivided, shows its subject full of apprehension and appealing (for sympathy and help). Late at night hostile measures may be (taken against him), but he need not be anxious about them.

  3. Line 3 九三

    九三：壯于頄，有凶。君子夬夬，獨行遇雨，若濡有慍，无咎。

    The third line, undivided, shows its subject (about to advance) with strong (and determined) looks. There will be evil. (But) the superior man, bent on cutting off (the criminal), will walk alone and encounter the rain, (till he be hated by his proper associates) as if he were contaminated (by the others). (In the end) there will be no blame against him.

  4. Line 4 九四

    九四：臀无膚，其行次且。牽羊悔亡，聞言不信。

    The fourth line, undivided, shows one from whose buttocks the skin has been stripped, and who walks slowly and with difficulty. (If he could act) like a sheep led (after its companions), occasion for repentance would disappear. But though he hear these words, he will not believe them.

  5. Line 5 九五

    九五：莧陸夬夬，中行无咎。

    The fifth line, undivided, shows (the small men like) a bed of purslain, which ought to be uprooted with the utmost determination. (The subject of the line having such determination), his action, in harmony with his central position, will lead to no error or blame.

  6. Line 6 上六

    上六：无號，終有凶。

    The sixth line, divided, shows its subject without any (helpers) on whom to call. His end will be evil.