Hexagram 33 of 64
Retreat遯
A mountain under heaven. The noble person keeps petty people at a distance, without hatred but with dignity.
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亨。小利貞。
Judgment: Success. Small gains from steadiness.
天下有山，遯；君子以遠小人，不惡而嚴。
Image: A mountain under heaven. The noble person keeps petty people at a distance, without hatred but with dignity.
In plain words
The situation: Conditions are against you, and it is time to step back.
What you can do: Withdraw in time. It is not defeat, it is saving your strength.
For culture and reflection only. Our own plain summary, not a translation.
The six lines
- 上九肥遯，无不利。A rich, easy retreat. Nothing fails.In shortYou leave freely with nothing holding you back; everything works out.
- 九五嘉遯，貞吉。A fine retreat. Steadiness brings good fortune.In shortA well-timed, graceful exit; stay steady and things go well.
- 九四好遯君子吉，小人否。Retreating by choice. Good fortune for the noble person, not for the small person.In shortStepping back by choice helps the wise; those who cling will not gain.
- 九三係遯，有疾厲，畜臣妾吉。Retreat that is tied down. Illness and danger. Keeping servants brings good fortune.In shortTies keep you from leaving and strain builds; look after the people close to you.
- 六二執之用黃牛之革，莫之勝說。Bound with the hide of a yellow ox. No one can break free.In shortYou are tied in and cannot leave; hold your position firmly.
- 初六遯尾，厲，勿用有攸往。Retreating at the tail. Danger. Do not go anywhere.In shortYou are retreating too late; it is risky, so do not push forward now.
Sources Zhou Yi. English by TaoDial.