Reading
Truth is obstructed, but be cautious and moderate, rather than seeking a final solution.
Though you are sincere in your current dispute, truth is blocked, and the path of prosecution will be met with obstruction—if pushed to a finale, the ending will be evil. Be your greater person by moderation and cautiousness—good fortune will come of it. Great sages know they can control their temperament—others will react with poison if pushed, deviating from harmony in a power struggle. To change, be rid of scheming and impulsiveness—it is better to contend with yourself than with others, though to be alive to sometimes suffer the scheming of others. If there is someone wiser who can settle it for you, seek them out. Now is not the time to act; there is no sure footing.
Translation Reference
Judgment
Conflict: you are truthful and are hindered.
Careful pausing halfway brings good fortune.
To carry through to the end brings misfortune.
It is favorable to see the great man.
It is not favorable to cross the great water.
Conflict arises when one meets resistance in the feeling of one's right. Without the conviction of one's own right, resistance leads to cunning or violent encroachment, but not to open conflict.
If one is caught up in conflict, powerful composure, which is at every moment ready for the settlement of the conflict and for compromise halfway, is the only thing that brings good fortune. To pursue the conflict to the bitter end, even when one is in the right, is an evil, because one thereby perpetuates hostility. It is important to see the great man, that is, an impartial person whose authority is sufficient to settle the dispute peacefully or to decide it justly. On the other hand, in times of discord one should avoid "crossing the great water," that is, undertaking perilous ventures, for these require unified, concentrated forces if they are to succeed. Conflict within cripples the force needed to conquer danger without.
Image
Heaven and water go in opposite directions: the image of Conflict.
Thus the noble one considers the beginning in all matters they undertake.
The image indicates that the causes of conflict lie in the already existing opposed directions of the two parties. Once such mutually opposing directions are present, conflict follows of necessity. From this it follows that, to prevent conflict, everything must be carefully considered at the very beginning. If rights and duties are precisely established, or if, in a union of people, their spiritual directions coincide, the cause of conflict is eliminated in advance.
Commentary
The upper primary hexagram, whose image is heaven, has its direction of motion upward; the lower primary hexagram, water, is by its nature directed downward. The directions of motion of the two halves diverge; this gives rise to the idea of conflict. The attribute of the Creative is strength; that of the Abysmal is danger and cunning. Where cunning has force in front of it, there is conflict. A third derivation arises within character itself, through the combination of abysmal cunning within and strong resolution without. Such a character will surely be prone to strife.
Changing Lines
Line 1: Do not persist, and things will turn out well with little criticism.
By not continuing the matter, being flexible and deferential, you will suffer the ill words of others in exchange for good fortune yourself.
Commentary
So long as the conflict is still at its very beginning, one does best to let it drop. Especially against a stronger opponent, it is not advisable to let it come to a contest. Perhaps a small exchange of words may occur, but in the end all goes well.
Line 2: No pressing the issue, escape and return amongst places you are safe.
You may be unequal to this dispute, unprepared or hitting above your weight. If you retreat and conceal yourself, you will be make no further mistakes, rather than inviting calamity.
Commentary
In a struggle with a superior opponent, retreat is no disgrace. By withdrawing in time, one avoids evil consequences. If one were to invite the unequal conflict out of false sense of honor, one would bring misfortune upon oneself. A wise yielding in such a case benefits the whole surrounding community, which is thereby not drawn into the conflict.
Line 3: Hold to the virtues you've established, and keep your integrity, not acting where others are affected.
Though dispute is perilous, you keep firm to the places you already know you have support. Wise friends that can clarify the issue will lead to good fortune, as others will be unable to claim merit against them.
Commentary
Here a warning is given against the danger brought by the inclination to encroach. Only what has been honestly earned through previous services remains a lasting possession. Such a possession may be contested at some point, but since it is real property, it cannot be robbed. For what belongs to one by the power of one's own being cannot be lost. When one enters the service of a higher one, one can avoid conflict only by seeking no works for oneself. It may suffice if they are done. The honor may remain with the other.
Line 4: Not pressing the dispute, letting fate, one may rest in virtue and integrity, to good fortune.
You are unequal to this dispute, so let it rest; return to study, change your desire to be contentious, and rest where things are firm and correct—being adamant with oneself is profitable.
Commentary
The inner disposition is at first unpeaceful. One does not feel well in one's situation and would like to achieve a better one through conflict. One has to do with a weaker opponent and would therefore be able to do so (a difference from the nine in the second place), but one cannot engage in conflict because one does not find the inner justification and clear conscience for it. Therefore one turns back and submits to one's destiny. One changes one's mind and thus finds lasting peace in accord with the eternal law. This brings good fortune.
Line 5: Dispute well, and good will come of it.
You are holding the proper mean; balanced and correctly oriented. Pursuing your contention will be auspicious, if you hold to virtue.
Commentary
Here is shown the arbiter of conflict, who is powerful and just and has the force to give emphasis to what is right. To him one may confidently refer a dispute. If one is in the right, one attains great good fortune.
Line 6: Even if you are rewarded, you will lose three times that amount if you do not move forward with respect.
Though you may win the dispute, it will not end in your respect—this is the outcome of victory without virtue, and allowing scheming and impulsiveness to win the day. Be cautious—if you will resort to being selfish and inconsiderate, it is better to not be contentious.
Commentary
Here is depicted someone who has carried conflict to the bitter end and retained their right. They receive a distinction. But the happiness is not lasting. It is contested again and again, and endless conflict is the result.