64 · Before Completion (WÈI JÌ)
Before Completion is a crossing still underway, not a sentence of failure. Fire sits above water without yet working with it; the lines nonetheless answer one another, leaving a path open. The little fox nearly reaches shore but wets its tail: effort must last through the final step. Six lines move through misjudged limits, disciplined work, accepted help, costly achievement, trusted leadership, and the danger of losing restraint after relief.
The judgment
Before Completion: passage is possible. A little fox nearly crosses but wets its tail; nothing is gained by pressing on that way.
The fox is almost across, yet almost is not ashore. Its soaked tail shows what happens when the last stretch is attempted without enough strength. The opening promise of passage remains; the warning concerns how to finish.
Original Chinese text
未濟：亨。小狐汔濟，濡其尾，无攸利。
The six lines
- 初六 · Line 1 — Its tail is wet: cause for regret.
Original Chinese
濡其尾，吝。
- 九二 · Line 2 — Drag the wheel; steadfastness brings good fortune.
Original Chinese
曳其輪，貞吉。
- 六三 · Line 3 — Not yet across: pressing ahead is ominous; crossing the great river can be beneficial.
Original Chinese
未濟，征凶，利涉大川。
- 九四 · Line 4 — Steadfastness is auspicious and regret fades. With force, campaign against Gui Fang; after three years receive reward from a great state.
Original Chinese
貞吉，悔亡，震用伐鬼方，三年有賞于大國。
- 六五 · Line 5 — Steadfastness is auspicious; no regret. The cultivated person's light is trustworthy and auspicious.
Original Chinese
貞吉，无悔，君子之光，有孚，吉。
- 上九 · Line 6 — There is trust in drinking wine, with no blame; but when the head is wet, trust loses its right measure.
Original Chinese
有孚于飲酒，无咎，濡其首，有孚失是。