Shi · The Army

Judgment

贞，丈人吉，无咎。

Perseverance is needed. With a leader of experience there is good fortune and no blame.

The Chinese above is the received classical text. The English below it is a plain-language rendering written for this site — not a scholarly translation. The classical wording is terse and genuinely open to more than one reading, so where interpretations diverge we follow the mainstream one.

The Image (Da Xiang)

地中有水，师，君子以容民畜众。

地下有水在流动，这是师卦，动员众人、暗中蓄势的卦象，君子应当懂得包容人民，畜养群众。

The Six Lines

• First line师出以律，否臧凶。初六 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.
• Second line在师中，吉，无咎，王三锡命。九二 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.
• Third line师或舆尸，凶。六三 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.
• Fourth line师左次，无咎。六四 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.
• Fifth line田有禽，利执言，无咎；长子帅师，弟子舆尸，贞凶。六五 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.
• Top line大君有命，开国承家，小人勿用。上六 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.

Modern Interpretive Reference

Quality: Neutral

Tendency: Organised collective effort; discipline under pressure.

Guidance: Act only with legitimate cause, clear structure, and trustworthy leadership.

This section is editorial reflection written for this site, not classical commentary. Hexagram qualities are not fixed outcomes — context and response matter more than the label. For cultural reflection only; not a basis for any decision.