Song · Conflict
讼卦 · 天水讼
- Dispute
- Disagreement
- Compromise
- Boundaries
The Judgment
Sung intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune, while, if he must prosecute the contention to the (bitter) end, there will be evil. It will be advantageous to see the great man; it will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.
有孚，窒惕，中吉，终凶。利见大人，不利涉大川。
The Image
Heaven and water move in opposite directions: conflict. The noble one, in the same way, plans carefully at the start of any undertaking.
天与水违行，讼。君子以作事谋始。
Plain-language reading
Your situation
You may be caught up in a dispute: a standoff at work, a power struggle in a relationship, or a tug-of-war inside yourself. In Song, heaven pulls upward and water flows downward, two forces moving apart. You may feel you are in the right, but the harder you argue, the more stuck things get, and the cost often outweighs winning or losing.
Where to put your effort
Stop where you can. Knowing when to stop brings good fortune; fighting to the bitter end does not. A fair third party can help more than battling on alone. Next time, set out the rules and boundaries before you start, to prevent conflict at the source. This is not a good time for big risks or major new projects.
Four areas of life
- Career
- Your progress is blocked; do not make enemies.
- Wealth
- Start cautiously and you can profit in the end.
- Family
- The noble one should seek a virtuous partner.
- Health
- Prevention is better than cure.
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 in the second placeThe second line, undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. If he retire and keep concealed (where) the inhabitants of his city are (only) three hundred families, he will fall into no mistake.Moving
九二：不克讼，归而埔，其邑人三百户无眚。
Image：Unable to win the dispute, one retreats home. Contending from below against those above invites trouble.
- Career
- Withdraw quietly and you will come to no harm.
- Wealth
- A small loss; no need to worry.
- Family
- Not a good time for marriage.
- Health
- If you fall ill away from home, go home to recover.
Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. He 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.Moving
九四：不克讼，复即命，渝安贞，吉。
Image：Turning back to accept fate and settling into what is right: good fortune, nothing is lost.
- Career
- Danger turns to safety.
- Wealth
- A failed partnership turns out to be a good thing.
- Family
- A remarriage done the right way.
- Health
- Risky; changing your lifestyle brings good fortune.
Nine in the fifth placeThe fifth line, undivided, shows its subject contending;—and with great good fortune.Moving
九五：讼，元吉。
Image：In the dispute, supreme good fortune: being central and correct.
- Career
- Seek progress honestly and you will rise high.
- Wealth
- Fair dealing brings honest wealth.
- Family
- Marriage into a wealthy, respected family.
- Health
- Breathing exercises keep you healthy.
Nine at the topThe topmost line, undivided, shows how its subject may have the leathern belt conferred on him (by the sovereign), and thrice it shall be taken from him in a morning.Moving
上九：或锡之鞶带，终朝三褫之。
Image：Honours won through conflict are not worth respect.
- Career
- Worrying over gains and losses is not worth it.
- Wealth
- Ill-gotten gains cost more than they bring.
- Family
- Hard to settle down.
- Health
- The illness comes and goes; possibly serious.
Related hexagrams
Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.
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