Hexagram 6 · Sòng ䷅

Song (Conflict): There is sincerity, but it is obstructed. Be watchful: halfway brings good fortune, persevering to the end misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person, unfavorable to cross the great river.

Six at the beginning: Do not prolong the affair. There is a little talk; good fortune in the end.

Nine in the second place: Unable to win the dispute, he returns home and hides. The three hundred households of his town suffer no calamity.

Six in the third place: Living on ancient virtue. Steadfastness brings danger, yet good fortune in the end. Perhaps serving the king, but claiming no achievement.

Nine in the fourth place: Unable to win the dispute, return and submit to the mandate. Change course; peaceful steadfastness brings good fortune.

Nine in the fifth place: In conflict, supreme good fortune.

Nine at the top: Perhaps he is granted a ceremonial belt, but three times in one morning it is taken away.

The Judgment Commentary says: Song has firmness above and danger below; danger joined to strength produces conflict. “Sincere but obstructed; watchful, halfway brings good fortune”: firmness comes and finds the center. “To the end, misfortune”: a dispute must not be pursued to its conclusion. It is favorable to see the great person, honoring the central and upright; unfavorable to cross the great river, for one would enter the abyss.

The Image Commentary says: Heaven and water go their separate ways: Song. Thus the noble person plans at the beginning of every undertaking.

Do not prolong the affair: conflict cannot be sustained. Though there is a little talk, its arguments are clear.

Unable to win the dispute, he goes home and hides. A lowly person who disputes with a superior draws trouble upon himself.

Living on ancient virtue brings good fortune through following those above.

Returning to the mandate, changing, and finding peace in steadfastness: nothing is lost.

Supreme good fortune in conflict comes from being central and upright.

Receiving ceremonial dress through conflict is hardly worthy of honor.

Song (Conflict): There is trust, but it is blocked. Be cautious. Stopping halfway brings good fortune; carrying on to the end brings misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person, but not favorable to cross the great river.

Six at the beginning: Do not prolong the dispute. There is a little talk, but good fortune comes in the end.

Nine in the second place: He cannot win the dispute. He goes home and hides. The three hundred households of his village suffer no harm.

Six in the third place: Live on the merits earned in the past. Staying steady is dangerous, but good fortune comes in the end. Perhaps serve the king, but do not claim success.

Nine in the fourth place: He cannot win the dispute. He returns, accepts his fate, and changes his ways. Staying calm and steady brings good fortune.

Nine in the fifth place: In a dispute, supreme good fortune.

Nine at the top: Perhaps he receives a decorated belt, but three times in one morning it is taken away from him.

The Judgment Commentary says: In Song, strength is above and danger below. Danger joined to strength makes conflict. “There is trust, but it is blocked. Be cautious. Stopping halfway brings good fortune” because a firm line has come into the center. Carrying on to the end brings misfortune because a dispute must not be taken all the way. Seeing the great person is favorable because one values being centered and upright. Crossing the great river is not favorable because one would fall into the deep water.

The Image Commentary says: Heaven and water move in opposite directions: this is Song. The noble person therefore plans the beginning when undertaking a task.

Do not prolong the dispute, because conflict must not go on for long. Though there is some talk, the case becomes clear.

He cannot win the dispute, so he goes home, runs away, and hides. If someone below disputes with someone above, trouble comes easily.

Living on merits earned in the past means that following one's superior brings good fortune.

Returning, accepting one's fate, and changing one's ways is no loss if one stays calm and steady.

Supreme good fortune in a dispute comes from being centered and upright.

Receiving official clothing through a dispute is not something worthy of respect.