Seek Safety

You cannot master this Dispute through pleading. Flee to your capital, your people’s three hundred doors. This is not an error. You cannot win this fight so flee quickly. Go to where you feel secure. When the distress ends, friends will seek you out. You are facing oppression and blocked communication but a new time is approaching. Join those with whom you feel a true connection. Let yourself be led and you can realize the hidden potential. Co-operate with the ongoing process of change.

九二, 不克訟, 歸而逋, 其邑人三百戶, 无眚.

One cannot engage in conflict; One returns home, gives way. The people of his town, Three hundred households, Remain free of guilt. ##### Comments In a struggle with an enemy of superior strength, retreat is no disgrace. Timely withdrawal prevents bad consequences. If, out of a false sense of honor, a man allowed himself to be tempted into an unequal conflict, he would be drawing down disaster upon himself. In such a case a wise and conciliatory attitude benefits the whole community, which will then not be drawn into the conflict.