Hexagram 64
未濟 Wèi Jì
Before Completion
☲ Fire above ☵ Water
Judgment 卦辭
亨。小狐汔濟。濡其尾。无攸利。
Commentary
Success. But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing, gets his tail in the water, there is nothing that would further. The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility—nothing less than leading the world out of confusion back to order. But it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite the forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice. His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of the ice as he carefully searches out the safest spots. A young fox who has not acquired this caution goes ahead boldly and may fall in and get his tail wet. In times 'before completion,' deliberation and caution are the prerequisites of success.
Classical Text
未濟坎下離上 未濟，亨，小狐汔濟，濡其尾，无攸利。
Wei Ji (Not Yet Across). Kan below, Li above. Not Yet Across. Success. A small fox has nearly crossed, but wets its tail. No benefit in any direction.
Image 象
火在水上，未濟。君子以慎辨物居方。
Fire over water. Be careful in the differentiation of things, so that each finds its place. When fire, which by nature flames upward, is above, and water, which flows downward, is below, their effects take opposite directions and remain unrelated. If we wish to achieve an effect, we must first investigate the nature of the forces in question and ascertain their proper place. If we can bring these forces to bear in the right place, they will have the desired effect and completion will be achieved. But in order to handle external forces properly, we must above all arrive at the correct standpoint ourselves, for only from this vantage can we work correctly.
Lines 爻辭
濡其尾吝
He gets his tail in the water. Humiliating. In times of disorder there is a temptation to advance yourself as rapidly as possible in order to accomplish something tangible. But this enthusiasm leads only to failure and humiliation if the time for achievement has not yet arrived. In such a time it is wise to spare yourself the opprobrium of failure by holding back.
Classical commentary
初六，濡其尾，吝。
Initial Six. Wets its tail. Regret.
曳其輪貞吉
He brakes his wheels. Persistence brings good fortune. The time to act has not yet come. But the patience needed is not that of idle waiting without thought of the morrow. Kept up indefinitely, this would not lead to any success. Instead, develop in yourself the strength that will enable you to go forward. You must have a vehicle to effect the crossing. But for the time being, use the brakes. Patience in the highest sense means putting brakes on strength.
Classical commentary
九二，曳其輪，貞吉。
Nine in the Second. Dragging back the wheels. Correctness brings good fortune.
未濟征凶利涉大川
Before completion, attack brings misfortune. It furthers one to cross the great water. The time of transition has arrived, but you lack the strength to complete it. Attempting to force it would result in disaster. What is to be done? A new situation must be created; engage the energies of able helpers and in this fellowship take the decisive step—cross the great water. Then completion will become possible.
Classical commentary
六三，未濟，征凶，利涉大川。
Six in the Third. Not yet across. To advance brings misfortune. It is beneficial to cross the great river.
貞吉悔亡震用伐鬼方三年有賞于大國
Persistence brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. Shock, thus to discipline the Devil's Country. For three years, great realms are awarded. Now it is the time of struggle. The transition must be completed. Make yourself strong in resolution; this brings good fortune. All misgivings that might arise in such grave times of struggle must be silenced. It is a question of a fierce battle to break the forces of decadence. But the struggle also has its reward. Now is the time to lay the foundations of power and mastery for the future.
Classical commentary
九四，貞吉，悔亡。震用伐鬼方，三年有賞于大國。
Nine in the Fourth. Correctness brings good fortune. Regret vanishes. With a thunderous campaign one attacks the Gui Fang. After three years, there is reward from a great state.
貞吉無悔君子之光有孚吉
Persistence brings good fortune. No remorse. The light of the superior person is true. Good fortune. The victory has been won. The power of steadfastness has not been routed. Everything has gone well. All misgivings have been overcome. Success has justified the deed. The light of a superior personality shines forth anew and makes its influence felt among those who have faith in it and rally around it. The new time has arrived, and with it good fortune.
Classical commentary
六五，貞吉，无悔。君子之光，有孚，吉。
Six in the Fifth. Correctness brings good fortune. No regret. The light of the noble person. There is sincerity. Good fortune.
有孚于飲酒無咎濡其首有孚失是
There is drinking of wine in genuine confidence. No blame. But if one wets his head, he loses it, in truth. Before completion, at the dawning of the new time, friends foregather in an atmosphere of mutual trust, and the time of waiting is passed in conviviality. Since the new era is hard on the threshold, there is no blame in this. But one must be careful to keep within proper bounds. If in exuberance a person gets drunk, they forfeit the favorableness of the situation through intemperance. The Book of Changes is a book of the future. Every end contains a new beginning. Thus it gives hope.
Classical commentary
上九，有孚于飲酒，无咎。濡其首，有孚失是。
Top Nine. There is sincerity in drinking wine. No blame. Wets its head. Having sincerity, one loses what is right.