In practice
The judgment
A conflict is arising that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. Recognizing that you can't resolve anything right now, letting events take their course, and seeking the advice of someone wise in this area will help you get out of the conflict.
The poetry
The Lawsuit
There is sincere trust, but it is blocked. Caution: stopping halfway brings good fortune; going all the way to the end, misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person. It is not favorable to cross the great river.
The image
Heaven and water go opposite ways: the lawsuit. So the noble person, in every undertaking, thinks the beginning through.
The lines
- Line 6上九
Insisting on being right at this moment will only make you lose.
Perhaps a belt of honor is bestowed; before the morning is out, it is stripped away three times.
- Line 5九五
If you've acted rightly, whoever has to make the decisions that involve you will decide in your favor.
Lawsuit. Great good fortune.
- Line 4九四
Accepting the adverse conditions of this moment without fighting them, and staying flexible, will lead you to success in the middle of difficulties.
Unable to win the lawsuit. Turning back, accepting the decree, changing. Calm constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 3六三
What you've gained honestly can't be taken from you. Even if gossip comes up, don't be intimidated; hold firm.
Feeding on old virtue. Constancy is in danger; in the end, good fortune. If it serves in the king's affairs, no achievement of its own.
- Line 2九二
Withdrawing in time, even if it looks cowardly, is the best move right now.
Unable to win the lawsuit. Turning back, slipping away; the people of the town, three hundred households, come to no harm.
- Line 1初六
Even if the situation invites gossip, holding firm is your best move.
Not dragging the matter out. A few words against; in the end, good fortune.
Its 63 transformations
Depending on which lines move in your cast, Conflict turns into another hexagram. Pick the lines from your cast.
One moving line
6
Two moving lines
15
- 25Innocencelines 1 and 2
- 1Activitylines 1 and 3
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2 and 3
- 61Inner Integritylines 1 and 4
- 20Observinglines 2 and 4
- 57Gentlenesslines 3 and 4
- 38Oppositeslines 1 and 5
- 35Advancelines 2 and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 3 and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 4 and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 1 and 6
- 45Meetinglines 2 and 6
- 28Excesseslines 3 and 6
- 29Waterlines 4 and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 5 and 6
Three moving lines
20
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, and 3
- 42Increaselines 1, 2, and 4
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 3, and 4
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 3, and 4
- 21Bitinglines 1, 2, and 5
- 14Wealthlines 1, 3, and 5
- 56The Travelerlines 2, 3, and 5
- 41Decreaselines 1, 4, and 5
- 23The Falllines 2, 4, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 3, 4, and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 2, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 3, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 2, 3, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 1, 4, and 6
- 8Unionlines 2, 4, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 3, 4, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 5, and 6
- 16Passionlines 2, 5, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 3, 5, and 6
- 7The Armylines 4, 5, and 6
Four moving lines
15
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 52Abidinglines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 51Shocklines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Five moving lines
6
All six lines moving
1
The classical text
訟：有孚，窒，惕，中吉，終凶。利見大人，不利涉大川。
象曰：天與水違行，訟；君子以作事謀始。
初六：不永所事，小有言，終吉。
九二：不克訟，歸而逋，其邑人三百戶无眚。
六三：食舊德，貞厲，終吉。或從王事，无成。
九四：不克訟，復即命渝，安貞吉。
九五：訟，元吉。
上九：或錫之鞶帶，終朝三褫之。
Related hexagrams
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.