K'un / Oppression (Exhaustion)

above:Tui The Joyous, Lake
below:K'an The Abysmal, Water

The third [six], divided, shows its subject straitened before a (frowning) rock. He lays hold of thorns. He enters his palace, and does not see his wife. There will be evil.

For a 'full explanation' of paragraph 3 Ku Hsi refers his readers to what Confucius is made to say on it in Appendix III, ii. The reader, however, will probably not find much light in that passage. The Khang-hsi editors say here: - 'The subjects of the three divided lines (1, 3 and 6) are all unable to deal aright with the straitened state indicated by the figure. The first is at the bottom, sitting and distressed. The second, occupies the third place, where he may either advance or retreat; and he advances and is distressed. Wounded abroad, he returns to his family, and finds none to receive him; so graphically is there set forth the distress which reckless action brings.'