Inner Strength

Eat the ancient power and virtue. Trial: Wise Words! The Way is open. Complete the adversity. Face the hungry souls and angry ghosts. If someone follows a King’s service, it will not be accomplished now. To deal with this you need the insight of ancient wisdom. Do the inner work and go through the adversity. You are surrounded by cruel people intent only on mastery and power. Part from the past and go on alone, even if you move haltingly. Keep a sense of the great within. You are connected to a creative force.

六三, 食舊德, 貞厲, 終吉, 或從王事, 无成.

To nourish oneself on ancient virtue induces perseverance. Danger. In the end, good fortune comes. If by chance you are in the service of a king, Seek not works. ##### Comments This is a warning of the danger that goes with an expansive disposition. Only that which has been honestly acquired through merit remains a permanent possession. It can happen that such a possession may be contested, but since it is really one's own, one cannot be robbed of it. Whatever a man possesses through the strength of his own nature cannot be lost. If one enters the service of a superior, one can avoid conflict only by not seeking works for the sake of prestige. It is enough if the work is done: let the honor go to the other.