Standstill (Pǐ)

Judgment

否之匪人，不利君子贞，大往小来。

Plain Meaning：Standstill: heaven and earth do not commune; the great departs, the small arrives—adverse for the upright.

Image (Great Commentary)

天地不交，否；君子以俭德辟难，不可荣以禄。

Line Texts

• 初六拔茅茹，以其汇，贞吉，亨。

  Pulling grass with its kind—steadfast fortune and success.

• 六二包承，小人吉，大人否，亨。

  Bearing and complying—petty men prosper; the great stand firm and remain free.

• 六三包羞。

  Bearing shame—an ignoble position.

• 九四有命无咎，畴离祉。

  Acting on the mandate—no blame; companions share the blessing.

• 九五休否，大人吉。其亡其亡，系于苞桑。

  Standstill wanes—fortune for the great; “lest it perish” keeps them bound as to a mulberry root.

• 上九倾否，先否后喜。

  The standstill is overturned—first blockage, then joy.

Symbolism

Heaven and earth apart: stagnation and obstruction.

Life Lesson

In stagnation, live simply, avoid danger and await the turn.

Modern Application

In adverse, stalled times: withdraw, stay upright, do not overexpose.

Words of Caution

Forcing action in a blocked time invites harm.