The Story

A courier, returning with urgent news, broke his ankle crossing a stream. He could not press on; he could not pretend he could. He sat on the far bank and thought. He sent a bird with the message to the next post. He rested, splinted the leg, and returned slowly the way he had come. "Obstruction does not ask for more effort," he said later. "It asks for a different mind. I would have died trying to run on that ankle — and the message would have died with me." When the mountain says no, do not charge; think.

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The Judgment

The south-west furthers. The north-east does not further. It furthers one to see the great person. Perseverance brings good fortune.

The Image

Water on the mountain: the image of obstruction. Thus the superior person turns their attention to themselves and moulds their character.

Interpretation

An obstacle that cannot be forced. The figure counsels introspection: do not hurl yourself at the mountain; walk around it, downhill if necessary. Use the check as an occasion for self-cultivation, and consult someone wiser than yourself.

Trigrams

The Six Lines

1. First (Bottom) Going leads to obstructions; coming meets with praise. Do not press forward; stepping back earns credit.
2. Second The king's servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction, but it is not their own fault. Caught in difficulty through loyal service; no blame.
3. Third Going leads to obstructions; coming brings return. Turning back earns a welcome.
4. Fourth Going leads to obstructions; coming leads to union. Reunion achieved by declining to push further.
5. Fifth In the midst of the greatest obstructions, friends come. At the hardest point, allies arrive.
6. Sixth (Top) Going leads to obstructions; coming leads to great good fortune. It furthers one to see the great person. The one who returns from the far edge with wisdom — fortunate in consulting the worthy.