52. Gen | Keeping Still
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
艮：其背，不获其身；行其庭，不见其人，无咎。
English translation
Gen / Keeping Still: When this hexagram is active, it turns back and cannot hold its own state; it moves in its court yet finds no one. This brings no blame.
This is the judgment of Gen (Keeping Still), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
Original Chinese text
初六：艮其趾，无咎，利永贞。
English translation
First Six: The feet are held back; there is no blame. Enduring and staying true is beneficial over the long term.
The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
Original Chinese text
六二：艮其腓，不拯其随，其心不快。
English translation
Second Six: The lower part is held still; it does not rescue what follows, and the heart is not glad.
The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
Original Chinese text
九三：艮其限，列其夤，厉薰心。
English translation
Third Nine: It stops at its boundary and stretches against its side. There is danger, and it can sting the heart.
The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “danger” calls for vigilance.
Original Chinese text
六四：艮其身，无咎。
English translation
Fourth Six: The body is held in stillness; there is no blame.
The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
Original Chinese text
六五：艮其辅，言有序，悔亡。
English translation
Fifth Six: The support is kept firm, speech is in good order, and regret disappears.
The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.
Original Chinese text
上九：敦艮，吉。
English translation
Top Nine: Steady and sincere stillness is present. This is auspicious.
The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.