Xiao Guo
Small Matters
When you receive Hexagram 62, Xiao Guo, the I Ching turns your attention to small matters. Small excess brings progress and attainment. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Small excess brings progress and attainment. Hold firm and correct. Small affairs may be undertaken, but not great affairs. The notes of a bird descending on the wing. To go downward is better than to rise. Great good fortune.
Classical (Legge)Hsiao Kwo indicates that (in the circumstances which it implies) there will be progress and attainment. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. (What the name denotes) may be done in small affairs, but not in great affairs. (It is like) the notes that come down from a bird on the wing; — to descend is better than to ascend. There will (in this way) be great good fortune.
The Image
Thunder over the mountain. Xiao Guo. One who is centered, in conduct, exceeds in humility. In mourning, exceeds in sorrow. In expenditure, exceeds in economy.
Classical (Legge)(The trigram representing) a mountain and that for thunder above it form Hsiao Kwo. The superior man, in accordance with this, in his conduct (exceeds) in humility, in mourning (exceeds) in sorrow, and in his expenditure (exceeds) in economy.
The Changing Lines
A bird flies upward. The result is misfortune.
Classical (Legge)There is a bird flying (and ascending) till the issue is evil.
He passes by his grandfather and meets his grandmother. He meets his ruler as a minister, without opposition. There will be no error.
Classical (Legge)He passes by his grandfather, and meets his grandmother; he does not attempt anything against his ruler, but meets him as his minister. There will be no error.
If he takes no extraordinary precautions against danger, someone may assail and injure him. There will be misfortune.
Classical (Legge)If he take not extraordinary precautions against danger, someone may assail and injure him. There will be evil.
He commits no error, meeting the demands of his situation without exceeding his natural course. Going forward is perilous. He must be cautious. There is no occasion to be using firmness perpetually.
Classical (Legge)He does not commit the error (of endeavouring to advance); he meets the exigency (without exceeding in his natural course). Going forward is perilous, and he must be cautious. There is no occasion to be using firmness perpetually.
Dense clouds, yet no rain, coming from our borders in the west. The prince shoots his arrow and takes the bird in a cave.
Classical (Legge)(We see) dense clouds, but no rain, coming from our borders in the west. The prince shoots his arrow, and takes the bird in a cave.
He does not meet the demands of his situation and exceeds his proper course. Like a bird flying far aloft. There will be misfortune. This is called calamity and error.
Classical (Legge)He does not meet the exigency (of his situation), but exceeds (his proper course). (It is like) a bird flying far aloft. There will be evil. It is what is called a calamity and an error.
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