Gua 34

☳ZhenThunder

☰QianHeaven

大壯

Great Strength

— King Wen of Zhou

䷡

Ancient Comments on the Image

— Duke of Zhou

雷在天上，大壯

Thunder in heaven, Great Strength

君子以非禮弗履。

the exemplary person accordingly does not tread on that which is contrary to propriety.

Judgment

— King Wen of Zhou

大壯：利貞。

Great Strength: benefit in steadfast correctness.

Moving Lines

— Duke of Zhou

1

壯于趾，征凶，有孚。

Strong at the toes; advancing leads to misfortune; there is trust.

2

steadfast, auspicious.

3

小人用壯，君子用罔，貞厲。羝羊觸藩，羸其角。

The small person employs strength; the exemplary person employs nothing; steadfastness is perilous. A ram butts a fence, its horns become entangled.

4

貞吉悔亡，藩決不羸，壯于大輿之輹。

steadfast, auspicious, regret disappears. The fence breaks open, not entangled; strength is at the axle-pin of a large carriage.

5

喪羊于易，无悔。

lose a sheep in ease, no regret.

6

羝羊觸藩，不能退，不能遂，无攸利，艱則吉。

A ram butts a fence; unable to retreat, unable to follow through. Nothing brings benefit; hardship then is auspicious.

Ancient Comments on the Moving Lines

1

壯于趾，其孚窮也。

Strong at the toes: that trust is exhausted.

2

九二貞吉，以中也。

Nine Two is steadfast and auspicious because of centeredness.

3

小人用壯，君子罔也。

The small person employs strength; the exemplary person is void.

4

藩決不羸，尚往也。

The fence breaks open, not entangled—still proceeding.

5

喪羊于易，位不當也。

Losing a sheep in ease, the position is not fitting.

6

不能退，不能遂，不詳也。艱則吉，咎不長也。

Unable to retreat, unable to follow through: it is unclear. Hardship then is auspicious; the fault does not last long.

Ancient Comments on the Judgment

大壯，大者壯也。剛以動，故壯。大壯利貞；大者正也。正大而天地之情可見矣！

Great Strength: that which is great is strong. Firmness moves, therefore it is strong. Great Strength has benefit in steadfast correctness; that which is great is correct. When correct and great, the actual condition of heaven and earth can be seen!

Chinese notes

雷

在

天

上

大壯

君

子

以

非

禮

弗

履

利貞

壯

于

趾

征凶

有孚

貞吉

小

人

用

罔

貞厲

羝

羊

觸

藩

羸

其

角

悔亡

決

不

大

輿

之

輹

喪

易

无

悔

能

退

遂

无攸利

艱

則

吉

孚

窮

也

九

二

中

尚

往

位不當

詳

咎

長

者

剛

動

故

正

而

地

情

可

見

矣