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James Legge, 1899 (public domain)
In Phî there is the want of good understanding between the (different classes of) men, and its indication is unfavourable to the firm and correct course of the superior man. We see in it the great gone and the little come.
Pi — standstill — is Thai inverted: the great gone away, the little come in, no good understanding between the classes of men. Grass pulled up still holds together: firm correctness brings good fortune and progress. Be patient and obedient; for the small man that is fortune, for the great man the way through the obstruction. The purpose folded in the breast should shame its holder. Act with the ordination of Heaven, and companions come to share your happiness. To close the obstruction, say, We may perish! We may perish! — so fortune ties itself to the bushy mulberry. The overthrow comes in its hour: before it, distress; hereafter, joy. In a standstill, survive the season and the season changes.
Line 1
The first line, divided, suggests the idea of grass pulled up, and bringing with it other stalks with whose roots it is connected. With firm correctness (on the part of its subject), there will be good fortune and progress.
Line 2
The second line, divided, shows its subject patient and obedient. To the small man (comporting himself so) there will be good fortune. If the great man (comport himself) as the distress and obstruction require, he will have success.
Line 3
The third line, divided, shows its subject ashamed of the purpose folded (in his breast).
Line 4
The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject acting in accordance with the ordination (of Heaven), and committing no error. His companions will come and share in his happiness.
Line 5
In the fifth line, undivided, we see him who brings the distress and obstruction to a close,—the great man and fortunate. (But let him say), 'We may perish! We may perish!' (so shall the state of things become firm, as if) bound to a clump of bushy mulberry trees.
Line 6
The sixth line, undivided, shows the overthrow (and removal of) the condition of distress and obstruction. Before this there was that condition. Hereafter there will be joy.