Sung / Conflict

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

The fourth [nine], undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. He returns to (to the study of Heaven's) ordinances, changes (his wish to contend), and rests in being firm and correct. There will be good fortune.

Line 4 is strong, and not in the center; so that we are to conceive of its subject as having a mind to strive. But immediately above it is line 5, the symbol of the ruler, and with him it is hopeless to strive; immediately below is 3, weak, and out of its proper place, incapable of maintaining a contention. Its proper correlate is the lowest line, weak, and out of its proper place, from whom little help can come. Hence its subject takes the course indicated, which leads to good fortune.