Biting Through (Shì Kè)

Judgment

噬嗑：亨。利用狱。

Plain Meaning：Biting through the obstruction brings success; it profits to administer justice.

Image (Great Commentary)

雷电噬嗑；先王以明罚敕法。

Line Texts

• 初九屦校灭趾，无咎。

  Feet in stocks, toes hurt—an early penalty that prevents worse; no blame.

• 六二噬肤灭鼻，无咎。

  Biting soft flesh so deep the nose vanishes—severe but no blame.

• 六三噬腊肉，遇毒；小吝，无咎。

  Biting old dried meat and finding poison—slight humiliation, no blame.

• 九四噬干胏，得金矢，利艰贞，吉。

  Biting gristly meat, gaining a metal arrow—hard, upright persistence brings fortune.

• 六五噬干肉，得黄金，贞厉，无咎。

  Biting dried meat, gaining yellow gold—steadfast awareness of danger, no blame.

• 上九何校灭耳，凶。

  Neck in the cangue, ears gone—evil unchecked ends in calamity.

Symbolism

Thunder and lightning: decisively biting through obstruction.

Life Lesson

Remove obstructions decisively; discipline early to prevent worse.

Modern Application

Handle violations and blockers early, firmly and by the rules.

Words of Caution

Small wrongs unpunished grow into great crimes.