Hexagram 63 · Line 5
After Completion — 五六
Ji Ji · Wu Liu
五六 · Wu Liu
The Line
The neighbor in the east, who slaughters an ox, does not obtain as much real happiness as the neighbor in the west with their small offering.
Interpretation
Also the religious attitude is influenced by the mood of soul in times after completion. In place of the simple old forms comes in the divine services ever richer elaboration and ever greater outer pomp. But this display of splendor lacks inner earnestness. Human willfulness takes the place of the conscientious observance of the divine will. But while the human being sees what is before the eyes, God looks at the heart. Therefore there does not rest as much blessing on the powerful but cold divine service as rests on a simple, pious offering.