Hexagram 6 · ䷅
Great divergence. Carefully proceeding brings good fortune. It is beneficial to see the great person. It is beneficial to reach the western mountains.
Major conflict and discord arise. Careful conduct and deliberation bring good fortune. Seeking mediation from a wise and impartial person leads to resolution. Journeying westward to the mountains brings benefit.
The conflict arises because human hearts are filled with doubt and fears. Careful deliberation leads to impartial judgment.
The Tuan explains that Conflict arises when doubt and fear fill people's hearts, leading them to dispute and argument. Only through careful examination and deliberation can impartial judgment be rendered.
Heaven and water move apart in opposition—this is the image of Conflict. The noble person, understanding this, reflects before undertaking any action.
Heaven and water flow in opposite directions, each going their separate way. The noble person, seeing this image of fundamental opposition, carefully considers before taking any action, understanding that conflict requires wisdom to navigate.
Do not pursue a small dispute. This brings no error.
Avoiding petty disputes brings no error. Let go of trivial conflicts.
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Not pursuing disputes shows one can restrain themselves from conflict.
Not pursuing small disputes demonstrates self-restraint from unnecessary conflict.
Unable to argue, they return. After three years they engage in conflict.
You try to avoid argument but eventually must engage. After three years of struggle, the conflict finally resolves.
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Unable to argue yet returning after years shows lingering resentments from the past.
Unable to argue yet returning after years shows old grievances surfacing from the past.
Eating and drinking well, preserving ancient customs. No error. From a venerable person, one receives land.
Living well and maintaining proper traditions brings no error. You receive land and support from a person of virtue.
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Preserving customs and dignity brings no error, receiving land from a venerable source.
Maintaining proper customs brings good fortune, receiving benefit from the worthy.
Cannot argue, then receives the lawsuit, descends and becomes secure.
Unable to win your argument, you accept the lawsuit's outcome and descend to safety. Security is found in yielding.
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Being unable to argue yet receiving a lawsuit shows one has fallen into danger but finds security below.
Unable to win yet receiving judgment shows one has descended into danger but found security below.
As a guest, theymaintain. Glory to the person above.
As a visiting party, you maintain proper conduct. Honor comes to those above you in the dispute.
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As a guest maintaining proper rites shows one remains honorable despite the conflict.
As a visitor maintaining proper conduct, one gains honor despite the conflict.
Even as a guest, one receives an honored robe. Changing to receive the jade tablet.
Though beginning as a visitor in the conflict, you receive recognition. Eventually accepting the jade token of agreement shows proper resolution.
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Receiving an honored robe yet changing to receive a jade tablet shows one ultimately accepts just resolution.
Receiving recognition yet changing to accept proper resolution shows wisdom in final agreement.