Lü · Treading Carefully
履卦 · 天泽履
- Caution
- Courtesy
- Boundaries
- Steady steps
The Judgment
(Lî suggests the idea of) one treading on the tail of a tiger, which does not bite him. There will be progress and success.
履虎尾，不咥人，亨。
The Image
Heaven above, the lake below: treading. The noble one, in the same way, distinguishes high from low and settles the people's aims.
上天下泽，履。君子以辨上下，定民志。
Plain-language reading
Your situation
You are walking a path that requires special care, like treading on a tiger's tail. There may be powerful people, complicated rules or hidden risks around you, and one wrong step could get you bitten. Yet the text also says the tiger does not bite: with the right sense of proportion, you can pass through safely.
Where to put your effort
Courtesy and doing things properly are your best protection. Know your position and boundaries; do not overstep or show off. Be gentle but firm with the powerful, and stay clear-headed in the face of temptation. Move forward step by step in a plain, sincere way, and you are least likely to go wrong.
Four areas of life
- Career
- Advance step by step; do not try to climb by connections.
- Wealth
- Inspect goods carefully and wait for the right time to sell.
- Family
- A well-ordered household.
- Health
- Keep your circulation flowing.
Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.
The six lines
Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.
Nine at the beginningThe first line, undivided, shows its subject treading his accustomed path. If he go forward, there will be no error.Moving
初九：素履，往无咎。
Image：Going forward in simple shoes: following one's own wish alone.
- Career
- Wait for the right time and success will come.
- Wealth
- Look after your existing business and you will profit over time.
- Family
- Good fortune at home.
- Health
- Jogging is beneficial.
Nine in the second placeThe second line, undivided, shows its subject treading the path that is level and easy;—a quiet and solitary man, to whom, if he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune.Moving
九二：履道坦坦，幽人贞吉。
Image：The quiet person persevering has good fortune: centred and not confused within.
- Career
- Hold high aims and cultivate yourself with principle.
- Wealth
- Prices are stable; a small profit.
- Family
- When dividing property, beware of losses.
- Health
- Take care of your eyes.
Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows its subject treading on the tail of a tiger. He becomes full of apprehensive caution, and in the end there will be good fortune.Moving
九四：履虎尾，愬愬，终吉。
Image：Cautious and alert, good fortune in the end: one's will is carried out.
- Career
- Be gentle and sincere and you will escape trouble.
- Wealth
- Do not rush to sell; you will profit in the end.
- Family
- Run the household steadily.
- Health
- Watch your step.
Nine in the fifth placeThe fifth line, undivided, shows the resolute tread of its subject. Though he be firm and correct, there will be peril.Moving
九五：夬履，贞厉。
Image：Treading decisively, persevering is dangerous: the position is right and proper.
- Career
- The clouds part and the sun appears; do not forget the hard times.
- Wealth
- Work together and hold off selling; it pays.
- Family
- Stay alert in times of peace and you will stay safe.
- Health
- From danger to safety.
Nine at the topThe sixth line, undivided, tells us to look at (the whole course) that is trodden, and examine the presage which that gives. If it be complete and without failure, there will be great good fortune.Moving
上九：视履考祥，其镟元吉。
Image：Supreme good fortune at the top: there is great cause for celebration.
- Career
- Good fortune in later life; blessed with prosperity and long life.
- Wealth
- Trading back and forth is profitable in every way.
- Family
- Only a family that does good has blessings to spare.
- Health
- Life has its natural limits.
Related hexagrams
Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.
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