62. PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL
Hsiao Kuo
The Judgement
PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL. Success. Perseverance furthers. Small things may be done; great things should not be done. The flying bird brings the message: It is not well to strive upward, It is well to remain below. Great good fortune.
The Image
Thunder on the mountain: The image of PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL. Thus in his conduct the superior man gives preponderance to reverence. In bereavement he gives preponderance to grief. In his expenditures he gives preponderance to thrift.
The Lines
Six at the top: He passes him by, not meeting him. The flying bird leaves him. Misfortune. This means bad luck and injury.
The Image says: 'He passes him by, not meeting him.' It is already too high.
Six in the fifth place: Dense clouds, but no rain from our western territory. The prince shoots and hits him who is in the cave.
The Image says: 'Dense clouds, but no rain.' It is already above.
Nine in the fourth place: No blame. He meets him without passing by. Going brings danger. One must be on guard. Do not be persevering.
The Image says: 'He meets him without passing by.' The place is not the right one. 'Going brings danger. One must be on guard.' In the end it cannot last long.
Nine in the third place: If one is not extremely careful, somebody may come from behind and strike him. Misfortune.
The Image says: 'Somebody may come from behind and strike him.' How could this be anything but misfortune?
Six in the second place: She passes by her ancestor and meets her ancestress. He does not reach his prince and meets the official. No blame.
The Image says: 'He does not reach his prince.' The official cannot be passed by.
Six at the beginning: The bird meets with misfortune through flying.
The Image says: 'The bird meets with misfortune through flying.' Nothing can be done about it.