Hexagram 6 · ䷅
Conflict is a time of sincere grievance and obstruction. It is best to remain cautious and stay within proper limits; pushing the dispute to the bitter end brin...
Judgment
Conflict is a time of sincere grievance and obstruction. It is best to remain cautious and stay within proper limits; pushing the dispute to the bitter end brings misfortune. Seek...
Image
Heaven and water move in opposite directions, showing separation and dispute. The noble person therefore gives thought to the beginning of every undertaking, so that conflict can b...
Lines
Do not keep pressing a small quarrel. There may still be talk, but the ending can be good. When you cannot win the case, it is better to withdraw. Retreat preserves peace for your...
If you are sincere and are obstructed, be cautious. Good fortune comes from staying in the middle. Bringing matters to an end brings misfortune. It furthers one to see the great person. It does not further one to cross the great river.
Conflict is a time of sincere grievance and obstruction. It is best to remain cautious and stay within proper limits; pushing the dispute to the bitter end brings misfortune. Seek wise judgment, and do not force a dangerous crossing.
Conflict arises when the upper is strong and the lower is dangerous: danger joined with strength becomes litigation. In conflict there is sincerity, obstruction, caution, and good fortune in the middle, because firmness comes and attains the center. Bringing matters to an end is inauspicious, because conflict cannot be made fruitful. It furthers one to see the great person, because one honors balance and correctness. It does not further one to cross the great river, because one would fall into an abyss.
Conflict appears when danger and strength meet head-on. The right way is not to intensify the struggle, but to keep to the center, preserve clarity, and rely on fair authority.
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 move in opposite directions, showing separation and dispute. The noble person therefore gives thought to the beginning of every undertaking, so that conflict can be prevented at its source.
Do not continue the case. There may be a little talk, but in the end there is good fortune.
Do not keep pressing a small quarrel. There may still be talk, but the ending can be good.
Small Image
Not continuing the case means the dispute should not be prolonged.
Not continuing the dispute means it should not be dragged out.
Unable to press the lawsuit, one returns and withdraws. The people of the town, three hundred households, remain free of blame.
When you cannot win the case, it is better to withdraw. Retreat preserves peace for your own people.
Small Image
Unable to press the lawsuit, one returns, because one has come down from conflict.
Withdrawing from the lawsuit means stepping down out of contention.
One nourishes oneself on ancient virtue. Perseverance brings danger, but in the end there is good fortune. If perhaps one serves a king, one does not seek completed merit.
Hold to inherited virtue instead of chasing victory. Even if service is involved, do not seek personal credit.
Small Image
To nourish oneself on ancient virtue means following what is right.
Nourishing oneself on ancient virtue means staying with what is right.
Unable to press the lawsuit, one yields and returns to obedience. One changes course and finds peace in steadfastness.
If your case cannot prevail, step back and return to what is right. Peace comes through yielding.
Small Image
Yielding and returning to obedience means one does not lose what is proper.
Yielding and returning means not losing the proper path.
To contend before him brings good fortune.
Bringing the case before a just authority brings good fortune.
Small Image
To contend before him brings good fortune because the place is central and correct.
Bringing the case before just authority is fortunate because the place is central and correct.
Even if one is awarded a leather belt, by the end of morning it will be taken away three times.
Even if contention wins you honors, they will not last. What is gained through strife is unstable.
Small Image
A reward repeatedly taken away shows that contention cannot be made secure.
Honors won through contention cannot be held securely.
What does Sung / Conflict mean in the I Ching?
Conflict is a time of sincere grievance and obstruction. It is best to remain cautious and stay within proper limits; pushing the dispute to the bitter end brin...
How should I study Hexagram 6 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. Do not keep pressing a small quarrel. There may still be talk, but the ending can be good. When you cannot win the case, it is better to withdraw. Retreat preserves peace for your...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
Conflict appears when danger and strength meet head-on. The right way is not to intensify the struggle, but to keep to the center, preserve clarity, and rely on fair authority.
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.