Anonymous (traditionally attributed to King Wen, the Duke of Zhou and Confucius) · Complete work
Hexagram 39 · Jiǎn ䷦
Hexagram 39 · Jiǎn ䷦ of 69. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
Open the complete readerOriginal Classical Chinese
蹇：利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。
初六：往蹇，來譽。
六二：王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
九三：往蹇來反。
六四：往蹇來連。
九五：大蹇朋來。
上六：往蹇來碩，吉；利見大人。
彖曰：蹇，難也，險在前也。見險而能止，知矣哉！蹇利西南，往得中也；不利東北，其道窮也。利見大人，往有功也。當位貞吉，以正邦也。蹇之時用大矣哉！
象曰：山上有水，蹇；君子以反身修德。
往蹇來譽，宜待也。
王臣蹇蹇，終无尤也。
往蹇來反，內喜之也。
往蹇來連，當位實也。
大蹇朋來，以中節也。
往蹇來碩，志在內也。利見大人，以從貴也。
Musean translation
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the classical Chinese, passage for passage, covering all 64 hexagrams with their judgments, line statements and attached commentaries, and the remaining Wings (the Great Commentary, the Discussion of the Trigrams, the Sequence and the Contrasts of the Hexagrams), 1,204 passages in all.
Jian (Obstruction): it is favorable toward the southwest, unfavorable toward the northeast; it is favorable to see the great person. Steadfastness brings good fortune.
Six at the beginning: Going forward is obstruction; coming back wins praise.
Six in the second place: The king's servant meets obstruction upon obstruction — and it is not on his own account.
Nine in the third place: Going forward, obstruction; coming back, return.
Six in the fourth place: Going forward, obstruction; coming back, union with others.
Nine in the fifth place: In great obstruction, friends come.
Six at the top: Going forward, obstruction; coming back, great gain — good fortune. It is favorable to see the great person.
The Judgment Commentary says: Jian means hardship: peril lies ahead. To see the peril and be able to stop — that is wisdom! "In obstruction it is favorable toward the southwest": in going one attains the middle. "Unfavorable toward the northeast": there the way comes to its end. "It is favorable to see the great person": in going there is accomplishment. "In the right place, steadfastness brings good fortune": thereby the state is set straight. Great indeed is the use of Obstruction in its hour!
The Image Commentary says: Water above on the mountain: Jian. Thus the noble person turns back into himself and cultivates his virtue.
"Going forward, obstruction; coming back wins praise": it is right to wait.
The king's servant meets obstruction upon obstruction, yet in the end he is without fault.
"Going forward, obstruction; coming back, return": those within rejoice at it.
"Coming back brings union with others": he holds the right place, and holds it with substance.
"In great obstruction, friends come": he keeps the measure of the center.
"Going forward, obstruction; coming back, great gain": his will is turned within. "It is favorable to see the great person": thereby he follows what is honored.
Plain English translation
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from the classical Chinese, covering all 64 hexagrams with their judgments, line statements and attached commentaries, and the remaining Wings (the Great Commentary, the Discussion of the Trigrams, the Sequence and the Contrasts of the Hexagrams), 1,204 passages in all.
Jian (Obstruction): The southwest is favorable; the northeast is not. It is favorable to see the great person. Staying the course brings good fortune.
Six at the beginning: Going forward meets an obstacle; coming back earns praise.
Six in the second place: The king's servant faces obstacle after obstacle, not for his own sake.
Nine in the third place: Going forward meets an obstacle; coming back means returning.
Six in the fourth place: Going forward meets an obstacle; coming back brings connection.
Nine in the fifth place: At a great obstacle, friends come.
Six at the top: Going forward meets an obstacle; coming back brings a great result. Good fortune. It is favorable to see the great person.
The Judgment Commentary says: Jian (Obstruction) means difficulty: danger lies ahead. Seeing danger and being able to stop shows wisdom! For obstruction, the southwest is favorable because going there finds the middle. The northeast is not favorable because that way comes to an end. Seeing the great person is favorable because going forward achieves something. Staying the course in the proper position brings good fortune and sets the state right. How great is the use of obstruction in its proper time!
The Image Commentary says: Water on the mountain: this is Jian (Obstruction). So the noble person looks at himself and improves his character.
Going forward meets an obstacle and coming back earns praise: it is right to wait.
The king's servant faces obstacle after obstacle, but in the end there is no fault.
Going forward meets an obstacle and coming back means returning: those inside welcome him.
Going forward meets an obstacle and coming back brings connection: the proper position is solid.
At a great obstacle, friends come because conduct follows the middle course.
Going forward meets an obstacle and coming back brings a great result: his purpose lies inside. Seeing the great person is favorable because he follows someone of high standing.