Chieh / Limitation
above: K'an The Abysmal, Water
below: Tui The Joyous, Lake
The topmost [six], divided, shows its subject enacting regulations severe and difficult. Even with firmness and correctness there will be evil. But though there be cause for repentance, it will (by and by) disappear.
Line 6 is weak, in its proper place. The subject of the topmost line must be supposed to possess an exaggerated desire for enacting regulations. They will be too severe, and the effect will be evil. But as Confucius (Analects 3.3) says, that is not so great a fault as to be easy and remiss. It may be remedied, and cause for repentance will disappear.