34 · Great Power (DÀ ZHUÀNG)
Great Power is strength reaching full expression. The question is how to guide it: force without judgment gets caught, while power held to what is right can clear a path.
The judgment
Great Power: steadfastness in what is right is favourable.
The judgment is brief because the condition is decisive: power becomes beneficial only when held to a right course.
Original Chinese text
大壯：利貞。
The six lines
- 初九 · Line 1 — Strength in the toes: setting out is ominous; this is certain.
Original Chinese
壯于趾，征凶，有孚。
- 九二 · Line 2 — Steadfastness is auspicious.
Original Chinese
貞吉。
- 九三 · Line 3 — The petty person uses force; the cultivated person sees a net. Persisting is dangerous. A ram strikes the fence and entangles its horns.
Original Chinese
小人用壯，君子用罔，貞厲。羝羊觸藩，羸其角。
- 九四 · Line 4 — Steadfastness is auspicious and regret disappears. The fence opens without entangling; the great cart's axle is strong.
Original Chinese
貞吉悔亡，藩決不羸，壯于大輿之輹。
- 六五 · Line 5 — A sheep is lost on easy ground; no regret.
Original Chinese
喪羊于易，无悔。
- 上六 · Line 6 — A ram strikes the fence; it can neither retreat nor go on. Nothing is favourable; difficulty faced with care brings good fortune.
Original Chinese
羝羊觸藩，不能退，不能遂，无攸利，艱則吉。