Hexagram 50 · Line 4
The Cauldron — 四九
Ding · Si Jiu
四九 · Si Jiu
The Line
The caldron breaks its legs. The meal of the prince is spilled, and his form is spotted. Misfortune!
Interpretation
One has a weighty, responsible task that one is not equal to fulfilling. Since one moreover does not devote oneself to this task with full strength but busies oneself with lowly people, the carrying-through fails. Thereby one brings oneself also into disgrace and shame. Confucius says of this: "Weak character in honored position, little knowledge and great plans, little strength and heavy responsibility will seldom escape misfortune."