Cast I Ching
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shi4Mathews: 5787GSR: 971a

Dictionary Definition

(a, the) activity, affair, assignment, duty, business, busyness, challenge, concern, effort, endeavor, engagement, event, function, job, involvement, matter, mission, office, occasion, occupation, problem, project, undertaking, responsibility, service, trouble, task, work; case, fact, matter, subject, phenomena(on), thing; official, delegate, servant, functionary; work to do, work to be done; matter/task (s) at hand; sacrifice; (to) attend to, do business, carry out, get involved, help, manage, serve, tend to, try, wait upon, work (for); make/take effort/trouble; engage in ... activity, make ... effort (s, ed, ing); (to be) engaged (in), hands on, occupied

Radical: 6+7 | First occurrence: Hexagram 02.3

Concordance & Context (32 occurrences)

Entries shown in Hatcher's reference chain order. First Witness at 02.3
3rd Line
affairs, business, tasks, matters, service "
含章可贞。或從王,無成有終。
Restraint in display is suited to persistence But for someone engaged in the royal service No achievement brings closure
Stats: 6+706.1
1st Line
affairs, endeavors, engagements; to serve
不永所,小有言,終吉。
Not prolonging certain endeavors The small will talk In the end, promising
06.3
3rd Line
affairs, business, tasks, matters, service "
食舊德,贞厲,終吉。或從王,無成。
Incorporating long-standing virtues In order to be steadfast Distressing, but in the end, auspicious Yet for someone engaged in the royal service There is no completion
18.6
6th Line
serve, work (ing) for; work, business, affair
王侯,高尚其
Not serving sovereign or noble Of higher worth is one’s service
18.6
6th Line
service, work, concern, business, affair, task
王侯,高尚其
Not serving sovereign or noble Of higher worth is one’s service
Xiao Xiang 3
service
含章可贞,以時發也。或從王,知光大也。
02.3x Restraining display (is) suited to persistence: For the sake of timely development * Someone engaged in the royal service Knows (and) honors the whole
Xiao Xiang 1
endeavors
不永所,訟不可長也。雖小有言,其辨明也。
06.1x Not prolonging certain endeavors: Contention is not suited to being prolonged * Even though the small will talk One’s arguments are clear
Xiang Zhuan
affairs, business; (the) work, task (s, at hand)
天與水違行,訟。君子以作謀始。
The sky together with water is contradiction in movement* Contention The noble young one, accordingly, In undertaking the work, appraises beginnings
02.3
Xiao Xiang 6
serving
王侯,志可則也。
18.6x Not serving sovereign (or) noble: The aim (is) a proper standard
Tuan Zhuan
work to do; service, endeavor, project (s)
蠱,剛上而柔下,巽而止,蠱。蠱元亨,而天下治也。利涉大川,往有也。先甲三日,後甲三日,終則有始,天行也。
Detoxifying The firm (is) above while the flexible (is) below Adaptive and yet motionless Fixations Detoxifying (is) most fulfilling: As all under heaven (is) healed Worthwhile to cross the great stream: (In) moving on there is work to do Before the beginning, three days, After the beginning, three days: In the end, in due order, there will be a beginning As heaven behaves
02.3
Xiao Gua
work, task (to be done), service, duty
Stats: 02.3
Xiang Zhuan
(and) serving, working; (the) service, work
水洊至,習坎。君子以常德行,習教
Water is ever arriving Repeated exposure The noble young one, accordingly, continues in character and conduct Practicing teaching and serving
02.3
Xiao Xiang 3
affairs, concerns, business, matters at hand "
係遁之利,有疾厲。畜臣妾疾,不可大
33.3x Entangled retreat has distress, There will be anxiety (and) exhaustion * Managing (one’s) servants (and) concubines (would have been) timely: But not suited to crucial concerns
02.3
Gua Ci
matters, concerns, affairs, endeavors (are)
睽,小吉。
In ordinary matters, promising
41.1
Tuan Zhuan
matters
睽,火動而上,澤動而下。二女同居,其志不同行。説而麗乎明,柔進而上行,得中而應乎剛。是以小吉。天地睽而其同,男女睽而其志通,萬物睽而其類。睽之時用大矣哉!
Estrangement The fire moves, but (only) upwards The lake moves, but (only) downwards Two women dwell together (But) their intentions do not function as one Enjoyment, along with dependence on clarity The flexible advances, and so improves (its) conduct Gaining the center and resonating with the firm And so it is that ordinary matters (are) promising Heaven (and) earth diverge, but still their endeavors converge Masculine (and) feminine diverge, but their objectives interact The myriad beings diverge, but their affairs (are) interrelated Estrangement’s timely application (is) very important here!
Tuan Zhuan
affairs, concerns, endeavors, functions, tasks
睽,火動而上,澤動而下。二女同居,其志不同行。説而麗乎明,柔進而上行,得中而應乎剛。是以小吉。天地睽而其同,男女睽而其志通,萬物睽而其類。睽之時用大矣哉!
Estrangement The fire moves, but (only) upwards The lake moves, but (only) downwards Two women dwell together (But) their intentions do not function as one Enjoyment, along with dependence on clarity The flexible advances, and so improves (its) conduct Gaining the center and resonating with the firm And so it is that ordinary matters (are) promising Heaven (and) earth diverge, but still their endeavors converge Masculine (and) feminine diverge, but their objectives interact The myriad beings diverge, but their affairs (are) interrelated Estrangement’s timely application (is) very important here!
Tuan Zhuan
affairs, concerns, endeavors, functions, tasks
睽,火動而上,澤動而下。二女同居,其志不同行。説而麗乎明,柔進而上行,得中而應乎剛。是以小吉。天地睽而其同,男女睽而其志通,萬物睽而其類。睽之時用大矣哉!
Estrangement The fire moves, but (only) upwards The lake moves, but (only) downwards Two women dwell together (But) their intentions do not function as one Enjoyment, along with dependence on clarity The flexible advances, and so improves (its) conduct Gaining the center and resonating with the firm And so it is that ordinary matters (are) promising Heaven (and) earth diverge, but still their endeavors converge Masculine (and) feminine diverge, but their objectives interact The myriad beings diverge, but their affairs (are) interrelated Estrangement’s timely application (is) very important here!
1st Line
affairs, concerns, tasks, endeavors, business
遄往,無咎,酌損之。
One’s own affairs are rushed and passed by No harm is done But consider decreasing this
02.3
Xiao Xiang 1
affairs
遄往,尚合志也。
41.1x One’s own affairs (are) rushed (and) passed by: Value a joining of purposes
Xiao Xiang 1
affairs, concerns, matters, endeavors
元吉無咎,下不厚也。
42.1x (An) excellent opportunity (to be) without errors: (To be) humble regardless of weighty concerns
02.3
3rd Line
affairs, business, events, matters, endeavors
益之用凶,無咎。有孚,中行告公用珪。
Increase comes by way of unfortunate events Avoid errors Hold true and focused in conduct Report to the prince, offer the jade credential
02.3
Xiao Xiang 3
events
益用凶,固有之也。
42.3x Increased by way of unfortunate events: Certainly hold this (in mind)
Xiao Xiang 4
(and) serve(ice, ing), work; (the) assignment
王用亨于岐山,順也。
46.4x The sovereign makes offerings at Split Mountain: Accepting service
02.3
5th Line
work to do, be done; tasks at hand; concern
震往來厲,意無丧,有
The shock whether going or coming is trouble The intentions* will not be lost where there is work to be done
02.3
5th Line
work to do, be done; tasks at hand; concern
震往來厲,意無丧,有
The shock whether going or coming is trouble The intentions* will not be lost where there is work to be done
Xiao Xiang 5
work to be done
震往來厲,危行也。其在中,大無丧也。
51.5x The shock (whether) going (or) coming (is) trouble: Exposure (in) action * (Where) one’s work to be done lies in the middle Completely without loss
Xiao Xiang 3
affairs, concerns, business, matters at hand "
豐其沛,不可大也。折其右肱,終不可用也。
55.3x (So) abundant (are) their flowing banners: Ill-suited to important concerns * Breaking one’s right arm: In the end unfit for use
02.3
Xiang Zhuan
(a, the) work; matters, tasks at hand
隨風,巽。君子以申命行
Subsequent winds, adapting The noble young one, accordingly, sets forth the higher purpose in carrying out the work
02.3
Gua Ci
affairs, concerns, business, matters at hand
小過。亨。利贞。可小,不可大。飛鳥遺之音,不宜上,宜下,大吉。
Fulfillment Worthwhile to persist Appropriate for minor concerns, Not suited to great concerns The flying bird bequeaths this message: If not adapted to heights, adapt to remaining below Much promise
02.3
Gua Ci
affairs, concerns, business, matters at hand "
小過。亨。利贞。可小,不可大。飛鳥遺之音,不宜上,宜下,大吉。
Fulfillment Worthwhile to persist Appropriate for minor concerns, Not suited to great concerns The flying bird bequeaths this message: If not adapted to heights, adapt to remaining below Much promise
Tuan Zhuan
concerns
小過,小者過而亨也。過以利贞,與時行也。柔得中,是以小吉也。剛失位而不中,是以不可大也。有飛鳥之象焉。飛鳥遺之音,不宜上宜下,大吉;上逆而下順也。
Smallness in excess The small are those who go beyond and so (are) fulfilled Exceeding, accordingly, (is) worth persistence To take part in the time (is) to move The flexible gains the center This is how minor concerns (are) promising The firm (has) lost position and also is not in the center (And) so this is, accordingly, not suited to great concerns There is the flying bird’s image herein The flying bird bequeaths this message: (If) not adapted to heights (then) adapt to (remaining) below Much promise: Above (is) resistance while below (is) acceptance
Tuan Zhuan
concerns
小過,小者過而亨也。過以利贞,與時行也。柔得中,是以小吉也。剛失位而不中,是以不可大也。有飛鳥之象焉。飛鳥遺之音,不宜上宜下,大吉;上逆而下順也。
Smallness in excess The small are those who go beyond and so (are) fulfilled Exceeding, accordingly, (is) worth persistence To take part in the time (is) to move The flexible gains the center This is how minor concerns (are) promising The firm (has) lost position and also is not in the center (And) so this is, accordingly, not suited to great concerns There is the flying bird’s image herein The flying bird bequeaths this message: (If) not adapted to heights (then) adapt to (remaining) below Much promise: Above (is) resistance while below (is) acceptance

Homophones (shi)

shi1(dead) bodies, corpses, fatalities, casualtiesshi1(a, the) militia, military, reserves, army, armies, host, hosts, legion(s), troops, garrison; general, master, specialist, tutor, expert, leader, instructor, director, assessor, example, (role) model, sage; expertise, organization, preparedness, readiness; [liquidity]; all; the people, the multitude, population; (to) teach, instruct, emulate, imitate, take as a norm or standard; model or pattern after another; militarily; a unit of 2500 troops 440shi1(to) extend (to), expand, distribute, give (to), apportion, deliver, issue, fall (from), give alms, broadcast, spread (out), add to, exhibit, display, show, express, diffuse, reach, carry out, execute, enforce, enact, practice, perform, apply, influence, apply, place, arrange, supply, pass down, give, grant, confer, bestow, dispense, stray, digress, go too far (s, ed, ing); (to be) extended, expanded, granted, bestowed, expressed, apportioned, carried out, supplied; (a, the) ramifications, (full) extent, attenuation, reach, scope, gift, grant, given, influence, apportionment, distribution, allocation; extensively, generouslyshi1(to) dismiss, disregard, err, fail, forget, forgo, go back on, give up, let go of, (let) slip, lose, lose control (of), miss, neglect, omit, relinquish; break, depart, deviate, escape, stray (from), (s, ed, ing); (to be) lost, off, out of; (to have) left, lost, forgone, forsaken; (a, the) defect, deficit, disregard, error, failure, fault, lack, heedlessness, loss, mishap, mistake, negligence, omission 441shi2(a, the) time, timing, opportune timing, right time, timeliness, season, period, epoch, moment, occasion, opportunity (s); occasions of, times of; (to be) present, current, by season, in season, of the season; (in, of, by) time; timely, timelier, well-timed, seasonal, seasonable, opportune, momentous; this, now, then; (the) time’s, season’s, moment’s, opportunity’s; at all times, constantlyshi2(a, the) ten; ten times, tenfold, tenth; -tyshi2(a, the) food, feed, feast, nourishment, sustenance, subsistence, refreshment, meal, fare, eats; sufficiency; (to) eat (up), have eaten, feast, have feasted, dine, have dined, consume, feed (on, upon), devour, take, partake (from, in), subsist on, draw from, draw upon, drink (from), ingest, swallow, take nourishment; incorporate, appropriate, embody (s, ed, ing); (to be) eaten, consumed, taken in, ingested, devoured, swallowed, eclipsed, diminished, nourished by, nourishing, sustained by, sustaining; wanesshi2stone, rock (s)shi2(a, the) squirrelly, long-tailed, skulkingshi2(a, the) substance, reality, effect, result, fruit, fruition, manifestation, development; sincerity, authenticity; belonging, riches, possession; real, real thing, truth, facts, stuff, content (s); (to be) actual, substantial, substantive, substantiated, authentic, confirmed, honest, real, genuine, sincere, solid, solidified, hard, true, concrete, practical, applicable, factual, rich, full; (to) make real, verify, validate, substantiate, develop into, feed, satisfy, enrich, fill, stuff (s, ed, ing); really, truly, actually, exactly, in fact, in reality, in truth; this, that; id estshi2(recorded) knowledge, learning, experience +shi3boar, hog, pig, swineshi3scribes, chroniclers, recorders, [ reporters]使shi3(a, an, this) commission, charge, assignmentshi3(a, the) beginning(s), birth, start, genesis, conception, commencement, onset, origin, outset, precursor, source; (at, from, in) (the) beginning, first, outset, start; (to) begin, commence, initiate, originate, renew, start (out), (s, ed, ing) (with); (to be) early, first, fresh, new; after, after this, then; as soon as, from now onshi3(and) arrowsshi4divining, consultation, oracle, inquiry +shi4(to) bite (into, on), bite down on, bite off, eat, devour, gnaw, chew (on) (s, ed, ing)shi4(a) young (gentle)man, male; bachelorshi4(to) see, watch, look, observe, regard (ing) "shi4(and) young maleshi4(and) so it is (that), (it) is (...) that, true; (and) so there/one/they is/are/will be; certainly, indeed, surely, truly; to be this; to be right; in actuality/fact/truth; it is truly; it, that, thus, this, these, such, there (is, are) (indeed); to be, be this; it is (a, an); is to be; itself is, such is, what is; to this; (to be) absolute, certain, correct, exact, positive, right, sure, true; such, thus, this, which (is/may be/might be); correctly, (a, the) certainty, right(ness, eousness); (is, are, may) actually, correctly, exactly, positively, precisely, rightly, truly, in truth (be); yes; that ...shi4(an) experiment, test, trial (s); testing, provingshi4capacity, forte, (special) strength, dispositionshi4embellishment, adornment; pretense; falseshi4(their) domestic affairs, household, home
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"Words cannot exhaust the mystery, but they can point the way."