Home › I Ching · 64 hexagrams › Hexagram 7
James Legge, 1899 (public domain)
Sze indicates how, in the case which it supposes, with firmness and correctness, and (a leader of) age and experience, there will be good fortune and no error.
Sze — the host, the army: water hidden under the earth. The oracle speaks of war with the coolness of a field manual. Order the going forth by the rules. One commander in the midst of the host, and the king's charge thrice conveyed to him. Many commanders: evil. An orderly retreat: no error. Birds in the fields, advantageous to seize — but if the oldest son leads the host and younger men command, evil, however firm and correct. And at the end, the great ruler delivers his charges: states to some, clans to others — and small men are not to be employed. Two rules govern it all: a righteous end, and the right conduct of the war, especially at the outset.
Line 1
The first line, divided, shows the host going forth according to the rules (for such a movement). If those (rules) be not good, there will be evil.
Line 2
The second line, undivided, shows (the leader) in the midst of the hosts. There will be good fortune and no error. The king has thrice conveyed to him his charge.
Line 3
The third line, divided, shows how the hosts may possibly have many commanders:—(in such a case) there will be evil.
Line 4
The fourth line, divided, shows the hosts in retreat: there is no error.
Line 5
The fifth line, divided, shows birds in the fields which it is advantageous to seize (and destroy). There will be no error. If the oldest son lead the host, and younger men be (also) in command, however firm and correct he may be, there will be evil.
Line 6
The topmost line, divided, shows the great ruler delivering his charges (to the men who have distinguished themselves), appointing some to be rulers of states, and others to be chiefs of clans. But small men should not be employed (in such positions).