Hexagram 49 Line 6: 上六

Classical Chinese Text

上六 君子豹變。小人革面。征凶。居貞吉。

君子豹變。小人革面

Wilhelm Translation

The superior man changes like a panther. The inferior man molts in the face. Starting brings misfortune. To remain persevering brings good fortune.

Commentary

The superior person changes like a panther. The inferior person molts in the face. Starting brings misfortune. Remaining persistent brings good fortune. After the large problems are settled, certain minor reforms and elaborations remain necessary. The panther's spots are smaller and less distinct than the tiger's stripes—refinement of the original, bold pattern. The inferior person also 'molts'—conforming outwardly to the new order—but this molting doesn't go very deep. Be satisfied with the attainable. If you try to achieve too much, pushing for deeper transformation than is possible, unrest and misfortune will result.