The 64 Hexagrams / 7
Hexagram 7 · ䷆
The Army
師 · Shī
Upper Earth 坤Lower Water 坎
The Judgment · 卦辭
貞丈人吉,无咎。
Sze indicates how, in the case which it supposes, with firmness and correctness, and (a leader of) age and experience, there will be good fortune and no error.
The Image · 大象
地中有水,師;君子以容民畜衆。
(The trigram representing) the earth and in the midst of it that representing water, form Sze. The superior man, in accordance with this, nourishes and educates the people, and collects (from among them) the multitudes (of the hosts).
Plain-English Meaning
A time for organised, disciplined effort behind a clear purpose and trustworthy leadership.
The Judgment
Collective effort succeeds when it is led by experience and serves a just aim.
The Image
Like water held within the earth, care for people and gather strength quietly.
Editorial summary written for this site; not a translation.
The Lines · 爻辭
- 初六 · Line 1師出以律,否臧,凶。The first SIX, divided, shows the host going forth according to the rules (for such a movement). If these be not good, there will be evil.象曰:師出以律;失律,凶也。
- 九二 · Line 2在師中吉,无咎;王三錫命。The second NINE, undivided, shows (the leader) in the midst of the host. There will be good fortune and no error. The king has thrice conveyed to him the orders (of his favour).象曰:在師中吉,承天寵也。王三錫命,懷萬邦也。
- 六三 · Line 3師或輿尸,凶。The third SIX, divided, shows how the host may, possibly, have many inefficient leaders. There will be evil.象曰:師或輿尸,大无功也。
- 六四 · Line 4師左次,无咎。The fourth SIX, divided, shows the host in retreat. There is no error.象曰:左次无咎,未失常也。
- 六五 · Line 5田有禽,利執言,无咎。長子帥師,弟子輿尸,貞凶。The fifth SIX, divided, shows birds in the fields, which it will be advantageous to seize (and destroy). In that case there will be no error. If the oldest son leads the host, and younger men (idly occupy offices assigned to them), however firm and correct he may be, there will be evil.象曰:長子帥師,以中行也。弟子輿尸,使不當也。
- 上六 · Line 6大君有命,開國承家,小人勿用。The topmost SIX, divided, shows the great ruler delivering his charges, (appointing some) to be rulers of states, and others to undertake the headship of clans; but small men should not be employed (in such positions).象曰:大君有命,以正功也。小人勿用,必亂邦也。
English: James Legge (1882), public domain · Text · Image (Appendix II), sacred-texts.com.