Khien below and Tui above.
Kwai requires in him who would fulfil its meaning the exhibition of the culprit's guilt in the royal court, and a sincere and earnest appeal for sympathy and support, with a consciousness of the peril involved in cutting off the criminal. He should also make announcement in his own city, and show that it will not be well to have recourse at once to arms. In this way there will be advantage in whatever he shall go forward to.
1. The lowest nine, shows its subject in the pride of strength advancing with his toes. He goes forward, but will not succeed. There will be ground for blame.
2. The second nine, shows its subject full of apprehension and appealing for sympathy and help. Late at night hostile measures may be taken against him, but he need not be anxious about them.
3. The third nine, shows its subject about to advance with strong and determined looks. There will be evil. But the superior man, bent on cutting off the criminal, will walk alone and encounter the rain, till he be hated by his proper associates as if he were contaminated by the others. In the end there will be no blame against him.
4. The fourth nine, shows one from whose buttocks the skin has been stripped, and who walks slowly and with difficulty. If he could act like. a sheep led after its companions, occasion for repentance would disappear. But though he hear these words, he will not believe them.
5. The fifth nine, shows the small men like a bed of purslain, which ought to be uprooted with the utmost determination. The subject of the line having such determination, his action, in harmony with his central position, will lead to no error or blame.
6. The topmost six, shows its subject without any helpers on whom to call. His end will be evil.