Walking with Tigers — The Art of Conduct
While Hexagram 9 taught us how to gently restrain others, Hexagram 10 (Lü/Treading) teaches us how to conduct ourselves. Structurally, both hexagrams share the same makeup—one lone Yin line amidst five strong Yang lines—but the dynamic has shifted. In Hexagram 9, the gentle controls the strong from above; here, the gentle must walk respectfully beneath the strong.
The I Ching uses a vivid and dangerous metaphor: "Treading on the Tiger's Tail." This hexagram explores the rules of Li (Propriety)—the code of conduct that allows us to walk among powerful forces without getting bitten.
The journey requires self-awareness. It begins with the simplicity of "Simple Conduct" (Line 1) and the integrity of the "Recluse" (Line 2) who is not swayed by the world. But danger arises when we overestimate our abilities—like a "lame man trying to walk" or a "one-eyed man trying to see" (Line 3). When facing power, we must tread with fear and caution (Line 4), and when holding power ourselves, we must avoid being "Decisive and Arrogant" (Line 5).
The secret to survival is "treading on hardness with softness." We must be gentle in manner but firm in purpose. Even when the path is smooth, we remain calm; when we gain authority, we remain humble. The journey ends only when we look back at our whole life ("Reflecting on Conduct" - Top Line). If our actions have been consistent, virtuous, and flawless from start to finish, we achieve "Great Good Fortune"—the ultimate reward of a life well-lived.
