06 · Conflict (SÒNG)
Conflict begins when trust is blocked and positions move apart. Heaven rises while Water descends. The longer victory is pursued, the more likely both sides are to lose what mattered. The six lines teach early settlement, protective withdrawal, returning to sound commitments, impartial judgment, and refusing to mistake a legal win for honor.
The judgment
Conflict: there is sincerity, yet it is blocked and alarming. The middle course is fortunate; pursuing it to the end is ominous. It is beneficial to see a great person; not beneficial to cross the great river.
Even a sincere claim can become a destructive dispute. Keep alert and settle before escalation. Difficult conflict needs an impartial authority; do not take larger risks while the foundation remains contested.
Original Chinese text
訟：有孚，窒惕，中吉，終凶。利見大人，不利涉大川。
The six lines
- 初六 · Line 1 — Do not prolong the affair. There may be small words, but in the end, good fortune.
Original Chinese
不永所事，小有言，終吉。
- 九二 · Line 2 — Unable to prevail in conflict, he returns and withdraws; his town of three hundred households has no blame.
Original Chinese
不克訟，歸而逋，其邑人三百戶，無眚。
- 六三 · Line 3 — Live from inherited virtue. Steadfastness in danger ends well. Perhaps serve the ruler's work, without seeking accomplishment.
Original Chinese
食舊德，貞厲，終吉。或從王事，無成。
- 九四 · Line 4 — Unable to prevail in conflict, he returns to the proper order and changes course; settle in steadfastness, good fortune.
Original Chinese
不克訟，復即命渝，安貞，吉。
- 九五 · Line 5 — Conflict: greatly auspicious.
Original Chinese
訟元吉。
- 上九 · Line 6 — Perhaps he is granted a ceremonial belt; before the day ends it is stripped away three times.
Original Chinese
或錫之鞶帶，終朝三褫之。