Song
Creative Conflict
When you receive Hexagram 6, Song, the I Ching turns your attention to creative conflict. Conflict. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Conflict. Even with sincerity, one meets obstruction and unease. A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune. Pressing to the end brings misfortune. Seek out one of great character. Do not cross the great stream.
Classical (Legge)Sung intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with obstruction and apprehension. A cautious halt halfway will bring good fortune. Going to the end will bring misfortune. It will be advantageous to see the great man. It will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.
The Image
Heaven and water move away from each other. The one of centered character considers the first steps carefully before beginning any affair.
Classical (Legge)(The trigram representing) heaven and (that representing) water, moving away from each other, form Sung. The superior man, in accordance with this, in the transaction of affairs takes good counsel about his first steps.
The Changing Lines
If one does not prolong the dispute, there will be a little talk against him, yet in the end, good fortune.
Classical (Legge)If he does not perpetuate the matter about which (the contention is), there will be a little (speaking against him), but in the end there will be good fortune.
He cannot press the conflict and returns home. The people of his town, three hundred families, will be free from error.
Classical (Legge)He cannot prosecute the contention, and returns home. The people of his town, three hundred families, will be free from error.
Living on the merit of old virtue. Holding firm brings danger, yet the end will be good. If one engages in the ruler's service, let him claim no credit for the achievement.
Classical (Legge)Feeding on the old (virtue). Being firm and correct brings danger, (but) the end will be good. If one should engage in the king's business, he will not (claim the merit of) achievement.
He cannot press the conflict. He returns to contemplate the way of heaven, changes his wish to contend, and rests in steadfastness. Good fortune.
Classical (Legge)He cannot prosecute the contention, but returns to the study of Heaven's ordinances, changes his wish to contend, and rests in being firm and correct. There will be good fortune.
Contending. Supreme good fortune.
Classical (Legge)Contending — and the greatest good fortune.
Even if by chance he receives a belt of authority, by the end of a morning it will have been snatched from him three times.
Classical (Legge)Even if by chance he be given a leathern belt (of authority), by the end of a morning it will have been snatched from him three times.
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