Hexagram 43 of 64
夬 Guài · Breakthrough
上 兌 Lake (Duì) over 下 乾 Heaven (Qián)
Say plainly today what must be said.
Judgment
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, judgment. English translation in preparation.
Image
In short: the lake rises to heaven.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, Great Image. Short gloss by Koyonari; full translation in preparation.
Commentary
Guài is lake water surging up to heaven: the breach that must be opened can brook no further delay. Guài speaks of stating plainly today what must be said: lingering in ambiguity drains people and relationships far more than speaking out. In speaking, state only facts and your own intentions, without passing judgment on the person before you.
Koyonari commentary.
The Six Lines
“Power in the forward toes. Advancing and failing brings blame.” Strength appears in toes stepping forward, depicting an eagerness to advance. Rashly advancing without being able to win constitutes blame, meaning a fault. Guài concerns decisive action. This line cautions that the rush forward at the outset must still be proportionate to actual ability.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 1. Koyonari translation.
“Advancing without being able to conquer brings blame.” Initial Nine sits at the lowest place; advancing rashly when power cannot yet conquer becomes a fault.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 2. Koyonari translation.
“Cry of alarm. Even with weapons raised in the dark night, do not worry.” Keeping alert and calling out a warning means there is no need to worry even if armed conflict occurs at nightfall. Mòyè means dusk or night, with mò standing for mù, evening; no need for concern means no need to worry. This line puts vigilance first, describing composure in facing unexpected events when prepared.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 3. Koyonari translation.
“Armed troops in the evening: one has attained the central way.” The line statement notes that even if troops raid in darkness there is no cause for worry, because Nine in the second place holds the center, upholds the middle way, and maintains constant alertness and complete defense, naturally fearing nothing.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 4. Koyonari translation.
“Power in the cheekbones brings misfortune. The noble person resolves decisively, walking alone into the rain. Soaked and vexed, yet no blame.” A forceful attitude showing in the cheekbones and facial expression brings misfortune, an unfavorable outcome. The noble person, meaning someone of virtue, must nevertheless remain firmly decisive. Walking alone into rain and seeming soaked symbolizes an association with those to be removed, incurring resentment. Even then, firm resolve allows no blame, meaning no fault.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 5. Koyonari translation.
“The noble person is resolute: in the end no blame.” The noble person decides resolutely, thus in the end incurring no blame.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 6. Koyonari translation.
“Skin flayed from the buttocks, walking haltingly. If one leads a sheep, remorse disappears. Hearing words but not believing.” The buttocks seem injured and stripped of skin, making sitting uncomfortable and walking hesitant and difficult. Following the situation's course, as when leading a sheep, can dispel regret. Yet the person hears advice and refuses to believe it. This line describes unease whether advancing or retreating, together with difficulty accepting counsel.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 7. Koyonari translation.
“Walking falteringly: the position is improper. Hearing words without believing: the hearing is not clear.” Walking with faltering hesitation arises because Nine in the fourth place is a yang line occupying a yin position, placed improperly; hearing words without believing them stems from not hearing clearly (cōng refers to the clear discernment of hearing).
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 8. Koyonari translation.
“Weeds weeded out decisively; walking the central path brings no blame.” The plant called xiànlù represents the petty person to be removed. Guài guài means removing firmly and decisively. Action must still follow the middle way to bring no blame, meaning no fault. This line emphasizes both decisiveness and moderation.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 9. Koyonari translation.
“Walking the center brings no blame: the center is not yet glorious.” Walking the middle way avoids blame; yet because Nine in the fifth place is close to the yielding yin and still hampered by entanglements, its central correctness cannot yet reveal full brilliance.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 10. Koyonari translation.
“No cry. In the end, misfortune.” At the top of Guài, one faces the final stage of being removed. Crying out is futile, and misfortune ultimately denotes an unfavorable situation. Wú hào conveys that appeals are useless, matching the stage at which the hexagram's process of removal has reached its conclusion.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 11. Koyonari translation.
“Misfortune of having no cry: in the end it cannot endure.” Lacking anywhere to cry out for help brings misfortune because the momentum of yielding yin cannot last.
Zhouyi, hexagram 43, line 12. Koyonari translation.