Hexagram 34 · Line 3
Great Power — 三九
Da Zhuang · San Jiu
三九 · San Jiu
The Line
The petty one works through power; the noble one does not do so. To continue is dangerous. A he-goat butts against a hedge and tangles its horns.
Interpretation
Relying on power leads to entanglements, as a buck that butts against a hedge entangles its horns. While the petty one, when in possession of power, revels in it, the noble one does not act so. They are aware, under all circumstances, of the danger of continuing and therefore renounce mere display of power in good time.