Breakthrough (Guài)

Judgment

夬：扬于王庭，孚号有厉，告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。

Plain Meaning：Breakthrough: proclaim it in the court, warn sincerely with caution; not force of arms but righteous action furthers.

Image (Great Commentary)

泽上于天，夬；君子以施禄及下，居德则忌。

Line Texts

• 初九壮于前趾，往不胜为咎。

  Power in the leading toes—going without means to win brings blame.

• 九二惕号，莫夜有戎，勿恤。

  Alarmed and alert—though arms come at night, no need to worry.

• 九三壮于頄，有凶。君子夬夬独行，遇雨若濡，有愠，无咎。

  Power in the cheekbones—danger; the noble goes on alone, wet in the rain and resented, yet no blame.

• 九四臀无肤，其行次且。牵羊悔亡，闻言不信。

  Skinless buttocks, halting steps; led like a sheep, remorse would go—but he won’t heed advice.

• 九五苋陆夬夬，中行无咎。

  Rooting out the weeds decisively, walking the middle—no blame.

• 上六无号，终有凶。

  No cry avails—misfortune in the end.

Symbolism

The lake risen to heaven, about to burst: decisive breakthrough.

Life Lesson

Root out wrong openly and with caution, blending firmness and grace, not brute force.

Modern Application

To end problems or ties, act openly and by the rules, leaving room; avoid rashness.

Words of Caution

Forcing a breakthrough without means backfires.