Hexagram 64 of 64
未濟 Wèi Jì · Before Completion
上 離 Fire (Lí) over 下 坎 Water (Kǎn)
Not yet done: the good time is now.
Judgment
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, judgment. English translation in preparation.
Image
In short: fire above water.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, Great Image. Short gloss by Koyonari; full translation in preparation.
Commentary
Wèi Jì is the state where affairs are not yet finished, and this is not a bad thing. Fire above water: neither has yet arrived at its station, leaving room to spare. This journey needs no perfect closure; first complete the stretch directly before you. What remains unfinished is the road you can continue to walk tomorrow.
Koyonari commentary.
The Six Lines
“Getting its tail wet: regret.” A tail gets wet while crossing water, leading to humiliation: a regrettable and embarrassing predicament. Wèijì means that the matter is not yet complete. Six in the first place is only beginning and lacks sufficient ability, yet is eager to advance. It becomes trapped as a result, and the crossing is not successfully completed either.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 1. Koyonari translation.
“Wetting its tail: also, not knowing the limit.” The Lesser Image Commentary explains Six at the beginning: soaking its tail at the start occurs because, being lowly and weak, it rushes forward recklessly without knowing how to measure its capacity against limits.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 2. Koyonari translation.
“Dragging his wheels: perseverance brings good fortune.” Holding back the carriage wheels restrains the forward momentum, preventing a rash rush across. Good fortune through steadfastness means that keeping to what is right can bring a good outcome. While the matter remains unfinished, Nine in the second place has the ability to advance but can still exercise self-restraint and wait to act appropriately.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 3. Koyonari translation.
“Nine in the second place, steadfast and brings good fortune: acting correctly through the center.” The Lesser Image Commentary explains the line text of Nine in the Second Place: remaining steadfast brings good fortune because Nine in the Second Place, though dwelling in a yin position, upholds the central path, relying on impartial central virtue to practice the correct path without rushing forward (as for the line text "dragging back its wheels," Chéng Yí interpreted this as slowing down the advance).
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 4. Koyonari translation.
“Before completion, advancing brings misfortune: favorable to cross the great stream.” The matter is still unfinished, and advancing directly brings misfortune, meaning an unfavorable outcome. Yet crossing a great river and overcoming hazards is also said to be favorable. The first statement warns against rash advance; the second points to the remaining possibility of crossing danger. Both meanings are retained: a headlong advance is presently unsuitable, yet danger can still be crossed.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 5. Koyonari translation.
“Not yet completed, an expedition brings misfortune: the position is inappropriate.” The Lesser Image Commentary explains the line text of Six in the Third Place: blindly advancing when the crossing is not yet completed brings misfortune because a yin line occupies a yang position, dwelling inappropriately at the peak of danger while lacking the strength to deliver itself.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 6. Koyonari translation.
“Perseverance brings good fortune; remorse disappears. Arousing to attack the Guifang, in three years rewarded by the great kingdom.” Good fortune through steadfastness means that keeping to what is right can yield good outcomes; the disappearance of regret means grounds for regret are removed. Rousing one's might to campaign against Guǐfāng brings a reward from a great state after three years. Zhèn here means to rouse. The line pairs keeping to what is right with strenuous effort: success cannot be achieved at once.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 7. Koyonari translation.
“Steadfast brings good fortune, regret vanishes: the will is carried out.” The Lesser Image Commentary explains Nine in the Fourth Place: persevering to attain good fortune and erase regret occurs because Nine in the Fourth Place escapes danger, advancing vigorously to fulfill its aspiration to rescue the realm.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 8. Koyonari translation.
“Perseverance brings good fortune; no remorse. The luster of the noble person: with sincerity, good fortune.” Good fortune through steadfastness means a good outcome from keeping to what is right; no regret means there is nothing to regret. The virtuous person, or jūnzǐ, shines through virtue and also possesses fú, a sincere and trustworthy heart, hence the judgment of good fortune. The line pairs the radiance of virtue with inner sincerity, showing the effect of keeping to what is right.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 9. Koyonari translation.
“The radiance of the noble person: its brightness brings good fortune.” The Lesser Image Commentary explains Six in the Fifth Place: "the radiance of the noble person" means the noble person’s radiance shines outwardly, hence bringing good fortune.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 10. Koyonari translation.
“There is sincerity in drinking wine: no blame. Getting his head wet: sincerity loses what is right.” With sincerity in the heart, drinking wine to put oneself at ease can bring no blame, meaning no fault. If drinking becomes so indulgent that the head gets wet, sincerity remains, but proper limits are lost. The phrase about sincerity losing what is right warns that even sincerity does not prevent unrestrained indulgence from departing from what is proper.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 11. Koyonari translation.
“Drinking wine, soaking the head: also, not knowing moderation.” The Lesser Image Commentary explains Nine at the top: drinking wine to soaking one's head likewise shows lack of moderation.
Zhouyi, hexagram 64, line 12. Koyonari translation.