Premature Action

Deepening Persevering. You try to fix the swirling waters. Trial: Trap! The Way closes. There is no advantageous direction. You are trying to fix this influence too soon. This is the wrong way to go about it. Nothing you come up with can help you. Hold back for now. There is greater fertility in retreat. Do not try to set others in order or launch an expedition. The connection is there but it must be nurtured. Be resolute in this. You are coupled with a creative force.

初六, 浚恒, 貞凶, 无攸利.

Seeking duration too hastily brings misfortune persistently. ##### Comments Nothing that would further. Whatever endures can be created only gradually by long-continued work and careful reflection. In the same sense Lao-tse says: "If we wish to compress something, we must first let it fully expand." He who demands too much at once is acting precipitately, and because he attempts too much, he ends by succeeding in nothing.