Treading

Treading carefully. Move with courtesy and awareness, even near something powerful.

• 初九 · Line 1
  素履，往无咎。
  The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading his accustomed path. If he go forward, there will be no error.
  象曰：素履之往，獨行願也。
• 九二 · Line 2
  履道坦坦，幽人貞吉。
  The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading the path that is level and easy;--a quiet and solitary man, to whom, if he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune.
  象曰：幽人貞吉，中不自亂也。
• 六三 · Line 3
  眇能視，跛能履，履虎尾，咥人，凶。武人為于大君。
  The third SIX, divided, shows a one-eyed man (who thinks he) can see; a lame man (who thinks he) can walk well; one who treads on the tail of a tiger and is bitten. (All this indicates) ill fortune. We have a (mere) bravo acting the part of a great ruler.
  象曰：眇能視，不足以有明也。跛能履，不足以與行也。咥人之凶，位不當也。武人為于大君，志剛也。
• 九四 · Line 4
  履虎尾，愬愬終吉。
  The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading on the tail of a tiger. He becomes full of apprehensive caution, and in the end there will be good fortune.
  象曰：愬愬終吉，志行也。
• 九五 · Line 5
  夬履，貞厲。
  The fifth NINE, undivided, shows the resolute tread of its subject. Though he be firm and correct, there will be peril.
  象曰：夬履貞厲，位正當也。
• 上九 · Line 6
  視履考詳，其旋元吉。
  The sixth NINE, undivided, tells us to look at (the whole course) that is trodden, and examine the presage which that gives. If it be complete and without failure, there will be great good fortune.
  象曰：元吉在上，大有慶也。