ChineseStudy

57. Xun | The Gentle

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English translation

Xun / The Gentle: small success, it is beneficial to have somewhere to go, it is beneficial to meet a great person.

This is the judgment of Xun (The Gentle), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “meeting a great person” points to guidance from someone of virtue and authority; “having somewhere to go” means forward action is fitting.

First Six: Move forward or backward as needed. It benefits a warrior to remain steadfast.

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.

Second Nine: The gentle force lies beneath the bed; using divining guides creates confusion, but the result is auspicious and without blame.

The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Third Nine: Repeated yielding is advised too often; this brings regret.

The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.

Fourth Six: Regret is gone, and one gains three grades of reward in cultivation.

The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.

Fifth Nine: Steadfastness is auspicious, regret disappears, and nothing is harmful. There is no good beginning, but a good end; the three days before and after a Geng day are favorable.

The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction; “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.

Top Nine: Gentleness is under the bed, and essentials are lost with the axe and provisions. Even with steadfastness, this is dangerous.

The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “misfortune” marks serious risk.

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