Chieh / Limitation
above: K'an The Abysmal, Water
below: Tui The Joyous, Lake
Nine at the beginning means:
Not going out of the door and the courtyard
Is without blame.
Often a man who would like to undertake something finds himself
confronted by insurmountable limitations. Then he must know where to
stop. If he rightly understands this and does not go beyond the limits
set for him, he accumulates an energy that enables him, when the proper
time comes, to act with great force. Discretion is of prime importance
in preparing the way for momentous things. Concerning this, Confucius
says:
Where disorder develops, words are the first steps. If the prince is
not discreet, he loses his servant. If the servant is not discreet he
loses his life. If germinating things are not handled with discretion,
the perfecting of them is impeded. Therefore the superior man is
careful to maintain silence and does not go forth.