Hexagram 64 · Line 1
Before Completion — 初九
Wei Ji · Chu Jiu
初九 · Chu Jiu
The Line
He comes with his tail into the water. Humiliating.
Interpretation
In times of disorder it is tempting to press forward as quickly as possible in order to accomplish something visible. But this enthusiasm leads to nothing but failure and humiliation, as long as the time has not yet come to work something. In this time it is wise if one spares oneself the disgrace of failure through reserve. (Note the difference of the situation from the first line of the previous hexagram.)