Avoid Conflict

Wild geese glide over the high plateau. The husband goes on campaign and does not return. The wife is pregnant and does not nurture a child. Trap! The Way closes. Advantageous to resist becoming an outlaw. You have taken a wrong turn on the path to union. Things are falling apart in mutual recrimination. Firmly resist the temptation to become violent or withholding. Let everything come into view. Look at the origins and let that decide whether you will advance or withdraw. Draw out the time and delay the hasty decision. Strip away your old ideas. Something important is returning.

九三, 鴻漸于陸, 夫征不復, 婦孕不育, 凶, 利禦寇.

The wild goose gradually draws near the plateau. ##### Comments The man goes forth and does not return. The woman carries a child but does not bring it forth. Misfortune. It furthers one to fight off robbers. The high plateau is dry and unsuitable for the wild goose. If it goes there, it has lost its way and gone too far. This is contrary to the law of development. It is the same in human life. If we do not let things develop quietly but plunge of our own choice too rashly into a struggle, misfortune results. A man jeopardizes his own life, and his family perishes thereby. However, this is not all necessary; it is only the result of transgressing the law of natural development. If one does not willfully provoke a conflict, but confines himself to vigorously maintaining his own position and to warding off unjustified attacks, all goes well.