Standstill — 初九

The Line

Interpretation

The text is nearly the same as the first line of the preceding hexagram, but reversed in sense. There, one draws another after oneself onto the path of official career. Here, one draws another along in withdrawal from public life. Therefore it is not said here "undertakings bring good fortune" but "perseverance brings good fortune and success." Only by knowing how to withdraw in good time when the possibilities of influence are no longer present does one spare oneself humiliation and achieve success in a higher sense, by knowing how to preserve one's personality in its worth.