Ku / Work on What Has Been Spoiled [Decay]
above:K^ en Keeping Still, Mountain
below:Sun The Gentle, Wind
The second [nine], undivided, shows (a son) dealing with the troubles caused by his mother. He should not (carry) his firm correctness (to the utmost).
The ruler in line 5 is represented by a weak line, while 2 is strong. Thus the symbolism takes the form of a son dealing with the prevailing decay induced somehow by his mother. But a son must be very gentle in all his intercourse with his mother, and especially so, when constrained by a sense of duty to oppose her course. I do not think there is anything more or better to be said here. The historical interpretation adopted by Regis and his friends, that the father here is King Wan, the mother Thai-sze, and the son King Wu, cannot be maintained. I have searched, but in vain, for the slightest Chinese sanction of it, and it would give to Ku the meaning of misfortunes endured, instead of troubles caused.