07 · The Army (SHĪ)
The Army concerns organization and responsibility when many people act together. Water held within Earth must be contained and directed. It does not glorify force; it insists on discipline, mature leadership, timely withdrawal, and proper appointments after success.
The judgment
The Army: steadfastness. A mature person brings good fortune; no blame.
Collective power needs sound principle and mature leadership, or it becomes destructive.
Original Chinese text
師：貞，丈人吉，無咎。
The six lines
- 初六 · Line 1 — The army sets out by discipline; disorder is ominous.
Original Chinese
師出以律，否臧凶。
- 九二 · Line 2 — In the midst of the army: good fortune; the ruler grants commands three times.
Original Chinese
在師中，吉，無咎，王三錫命。
- 六三 · Line 3 — The army may carry the dead in carts. Ominous.
Original Chinese
師或輿尸，凶。
- 六四 · Line 4 — The army camps on the left. No blame.
Original Chinese
師左次，無咎。
- 六五 · Line 5 — There are animals in the fields; it is beneficial to state the case. The elder son leads; the younger carries the dead.
Original Chinese
田有禽，利執言，無咎。長子帥師，弟子輿尸，貞凶。
- 上六 · Line 6 — The great ruler gives commands, founding states and entrusting households. Do not employ the petty.
Original Chinese
大君有命，開國承家，小人勿用。