Hexagram 57 Line 6: 上九

Classical Chinese Text

上九 巽在牀下。喪其資斧。貞凶。

巽在牀下。喪其資斧

Wilhelm Translation

Penetration under the bed. He loses his property and his ax. Perseverance brings misfortune.

Commentary

Penetration under the bed. You lose your property and your ax. Persistence brings misfortune. Your understanding is sufficiently penetrating—you follow up injurious influences into the most secret corners. But you no longer have the strength to combat them decisively. Any attempt to penetrate further into the personal domain of darkness would only bring harm.