Sung / Conflict

above: Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
below: K'an The Abysmal, Water

The second [nine], undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. If he retire and keep concealed (where) the inhabitants of his city are (only) three hundred families, he will fall into no mistake.

Line 2 represents one who is strong, and has the rule of the lower trigram; - he has the mind for strife, and might be expected to engage in it. But his strength is weakened by being in an even place, and he is no match for his correlate in line 5, and therefore retreats. A town or city with only 300 families is said to be very small. That the subject of the line should retire to so insignificant a place is further proof of his humility.