 | Withdrawal | |
| Upper Trigram: | Ch'ien, Creative Principle, Heaven | |
| Lower Trigram: | Ken, Inaction, a Mountain | |
| Governing Ruler: | Nine in the fifth place | |
The Image
The sky over the mountain: the image of Tun. 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.
Miscellaneous Signs
While P'i and T'ai their different scopes prefer, Ta Chuang stops here as right; withdraws Tun there.
The Judgement
Tun indicates successful progress in its circumstances. To a small extent it will still be advantageous to be firm and correct.
Commentary
'Tun indicates successful progress': that is, in the very retiring that Tun denotes, there is such progress. The strong line is in the ruling fifth place, and is properly responded to by the second. The action takes place according to the requirements of the time.
'To a small extent it will still be advantageous to be firm and correct': the small men are gradually encroaching and advancing. Great indeed is the significance of the time that necessitates withdrawal.
'Tun indicates successful progress': that is, in the very retiring that Tun denotes, there is such progress. The strong line is in the ruling fifth place, and is properly responded to by the second. The action takes place according to the requirements of the time.
'To a small extent it will still be advantageous to be firm and correct': the small men are gradually encroaching and advancing. Great indeed is the significance of the time that necessitates withdrawal.
The Lines and commentaries
Bottom six
A retiring tail. The position is perilous. No movement in any direction should be made.
There is 'the perilousness of the position', shown by the 'retiring tail'. But if 'no movement be made', what disaster can there be?
Six in the second placeShowing its subject holding on to his purpose as if by a thong made of the hide of a yellow ox, which cannot be broken.
'He holds it as by a thong made of the hide of a yellow ox': his purpose is firm.
Nine in the third placeShowing one retiring, but bound to his distress and peril. If he were to deal with his bonds as in nourishing a servant or concubine, that would be fortunate for him.
'The peril connected with the case of one retiring, though bound', is due to the consequent distress and exhaustion.
'If he were to deal with his bonds as in nourishing a servant or concubine, that would be fortunate for him': yes, but a great affair cannot be dealt with in this way.
Nine in the fourth place'If he were to deal with his bonds as in nourishing a servant or concubine, that would be fortunate for him': yes, but a great affair cannot be dealt with in this way.
Showing its subject retiring notwithstanding his likings. In a superior man this will lead to good fortune; a small man cannot attain to this.
A superior man retires notwithstanding his likings; a small man cannot attain to this.
Nine in the fifth placeShowing one retiring in an admirable way. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
'He is retiring in an admirable way; with firm correctness there will be good fortune': due to the rectitude of his purpose.
Top-most nineShowing one retiring in a noble way. It will be advantageous in every respect.
'He retires in a noble way; and his doing so will be advantageous in every respect': he who does so has no doubts about his course.
 1. Ch'ien Creative Principle |  2. K'un Passive Principle |  3. Chun Initial Difficulties |  4. Meng Youthful Inexperience |  5. Hsü Delay |  6. Sung Conflict |  7. Shih The Army |  8. Pi Seeking Unity |  9. Hsiao Ch'u Minor Restraint |  10. Lü Treading carefully |  11. T'ai Peace |  12. P'i Stagnation |  13. T'ung Jen Companionship |  14. Ta Yu Great Possessions |  15. Ch'ien Modesty |  16. Yü Enthusiasm |  17. Sui Allegiance |  18. Ku Arresting Decay |  19. Lin Approaching |  20. Kuan Contemplation |  21. Shih Ho Biting through |  22. Pi Grace |  23. Po Disintegration |  24. Fu The Turning Point |  25. Wu Wang Innocence |  26. Ta Ch'u Restraining Force |  27. I Nourishment |  28. Ta Kuo Excess |  29. K'an The Abyss |  30. Li Clinging Brightness |  31. Hsieh Influence |  32. Heng Endurance | 33. Tun Withdrawal |  34. Ta Chuang Strength of Greatness |  35. Chin Progress |  36. Ming I Sinking Light |  37. Chia Jen The Family |  38. K'uei Opposition |  39. Chien Obstacles |  40. Hsieh Deliverance |  41. Sun Decrease |  42. I Increase |  43. Kuai Resolution |  44. Kou Coming on |  45. Ts'ui Congregation |  46. Sheng Moving upward |  47. K'un Exhaustion |  48. Ching The Well |  49. Ko Revolution |  50. Ting The Cauldron |  51. Chen Thunderclap |  52. Ken Inaction |  53. Chien Gradual Progress |  54. Kuei Mei Marriageable Maiden |  55. Feng Abundance |  56. Lü The Wanderer |  57. Sun Gentle Penetration |  58. Tui Joy |  59. Huan Dispersal |  60. Chien Restraint |  61. Cung Fu Inner Truth |  62. Hsiao Kuo Small Excess |  63. Chi Chi Completion and After |  64. Wei Chi Before Completion |