Hexagram 18 · ䷑
Correcting what has been spoiled brings supreme success. It furthers one to undertake great endeavors. Preparation before starting takes three days; completion...
Judgment
Correcting what has been spoiled brings supreme success. It furthers one to undertake great endeavors. Preparation before starting takes three days; completion after starting takes...
Image
Wind blowing across the mountain represents decay that needs correction. The noble person inspires the people and strengthens their spirit to overcome corruption.
Lines
Correcting what the father spoiled. If there is a capable son, there is no blame. Though initially dangerous, the outcome is good fortune. Correcting what the mother spoiled requir...
Supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great river. Three days before the beginning, three days after the beginning.
Correcting what has been spoiled brings supreme success. It furthers one to undertake great endeavors. Preparation before starting takes three days; completion after starting takes three days.
Work on What Has Been Spoiled means that the firm is above and the yielding below; gentle penetration and stillness combine, and thus decay can be dealt with. Work on what has been spoiled brings supreme success, and thereby the world is put in order. Three days before the beginning and three days after the beginning mean that an ending is followed by a new beginning. Such is the movement of heaven.
Work on What Has Been Spoiled represents the restoration of order. The firm ascends while the yielding descends, creating gentle upward movement. Through correcting past errors, the world is set right.
The wind blows low on the mountain: the image of Work on What Has Been Spoiled. The noble person arouses the people and strengthens their spirit.
Wind blowing across the mountain represents decay that needs correction. The noble person inspires the people and strengthens their spirit to overcome corruption.
Setting right what his father spoiled. If there is a son, no blame. Danger, but in the end good fortune.
Correcting what the father spoiled. If there is a capable son, there is no blame. Though initially dangerous, the outcome is good fortune.
Small Image
Setting right what his father spoiled; the intention is to carry out the will of the father.
Correcting what the father spoiled carries out the father's true will.
Setting right what his mother spoiled. One must not be too persevering.
Correcting what the mother spoiled requires gentleness and flexibility. One must not be too rigid or persevering.
Small Image
Setting right what his mother spoiled; the way of the yielding is obtained.
Correcting what the mother spoiled follows the way of gentleness and flexibility.
Setting right what his father spoiled. Occasion for a little regret, but no great blame.
Correcting what the father spoiled may cause some regret, but there will be no great blame.
Small Image
Setting right what his father spoiled; eventually there is no blame.
Correcting what the father spoiled eventually removes all blame.
Tolerating what his father spoiled. Progress results in regret.
Tolerating what the father spoiled leads to regret as progress is attempted. Inaction permits decay.
Small Image
Tolerating what his father spoiled; in the end it leads to regret.
Tolerating what the father spoiled eventually leads to regret.
Setting right what his father spoiled. One meets with praise.
Correcting what the father spoiled brings praise. You fulfill the proper role of succession.
Small Image
Setting right what his father spoiled; one receives praise, because one takes the place of the father.
Correcting what the father spoiled brings praise because one assumes the father's proper role.
He does not serve kings and princes; he sets his higher goal.
Not serving kings and princes, one sets their sights on higher goals beyond worldly position.
Small Image
He does not serve kings and princes, because his will is directed to higher things.
Not serving kings and princes shows one's will is directed toward higher purposes.
What does Ku / Work on What Has Been Spoiled mean in the I Ching?
Correcting what has been spoiled brings supreme success. It furthers one to undertake great endeavors. Preparation before starting takes three days; completion...
How should I study Hexagram 18 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. Correcting what the father spoiled. If there is a capable son, there is no blame. Though initially dangerous, the outcome is good fortune. Correcting what the mother spoiled requir...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
Work on What Has Been Spoiled represents the restoration of order. The firm ascends while the yielding descends, creating gentle upward movement. Through correcting past errors, the world is set right.
Primary text: Zhouyi / I Ching, including the Judgment, Image, line texts, and related commentaries.
Translation basis: public-domain and modern study references, with AI used only as a learning aid.