I-Ching Hexagram 43
夬 Breakthrough
Also known as Resolution
Five yang lines press on one last yin line at the top — a corrupt element about to be ejected. The counsel is public, non-violent resolution: expose what has been hidden, warn allies, do not escalate to force.
breakthrough · resolution · decisiveness
The Story
A young clerk, going through the ledgers of the imperial grain commission, noticed a pattern: a senior minister had been diverting tax rice for nine years. He did not whisper. He did not gossip. He wrote a clean, unadorned memorial, presented it openly at court, warned his own friends first, and refused to draw his sword when the minister's guards were summoned. The emperor read. The minister fell. The clerk went home that night and slept. Truth spoken cleanly at the right moment is more powerful than any weapon — but only if it is spoken without rage, and without delay.
The Judgment
One must resolutely make the matter known at the court of the king. It must be announced truthfully. Danger. It is necessary to notify one's own city. It does not further one to resort to arms. It furthers one to undertake something.
The Image
The lake has risen up to heaven: the image of breakthrough. Thus the superior person dispenses riches downward and refrains from resting on their virtue.
Interpretation
Five yang lines press on one last yin line at the top — a corrupt element about to be ejected. The counsel is public, non-violent resolution: expose what has been hidden, warn allies, do not escalate to force. The decisive act must be clean, not cruel.
Trigrams
The Six Lines
- First (Bottom) Mighty in the toes. Going brings no success; brings misfortune. Rushing at the start without strategy.
- Second A cry of alarm. Arms at evening and at night. Fear nothing. Vigilance is called for; preparedness dispels fear.
- Third To be powerful in the cheekbones brings misfortune. The superior person is firmly resolved. They walk alone and are caught in the rain. They are bespattered, and people murmur against them. No blame. One who acts alone on resolution gets wet, gets gossiped about — but is not wrong.
- Fourth There is no skin on their thighs, and walking comes hard. If a person were to let themselves be led like a sheep, remorse would disappear. But if these words are heard, they will not be believed. Painful progress; the counsel to accept guidance falls on deaf ears.
- Fifth In dealing with weeds, firm resolution is necessary. Walking in the middle remains free of blame. Eradicate small corruptions unsentimentally; stay centred.
- Sixth (Top) No cry. In the end, misfortune comes. What is not addressed will eventually destroy unheralded.