Richard Wilhelm & Cary F. Baynes translation, 1950

   64. Wei Chi / Before Completion
   
							above  LI    THE CLINGING, FLAME
							below  K'AN  THE ABYSMAL,  WATER





This hexagram indicates a time when the transition from disorder to order is not yet 
completed. The change is indeed prepared for, since all the lines in the upper trigram 
are in relation to those in the lower. However, they are not yet in their places. 
While the preceding hexagram offers an analogy to autumn, which forms the transition 
from summer to winter, this hexagram presents a parallel to spring, which leads out 
of winter's stagnation into the fruitful time of summer. With this hopeful outlook 
the Book of Changes come to its close.


        THE JUDGMENT

        BEFORE COMPLETION. Success.
        But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing,
        Gets his tail in the water,
        There is nothing that would further.


The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. 
It is nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back to order. 
But it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite 
the forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move 
warily, like an old fox walking over ice. The caution of a fox walking over ice 
is proverbial in China. His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of the ice, 
as he carefully and circumspectly searches out the safest spots. A young fox 
who as yet has not acquired this caution goes ahead boldly, and it may happen 
that he falls in and gets his tail wet when he is almost across the water. 
Then of course his effort has been all in vain. Accordingly, in times "before 
completion," deliberation and caution are the prerequisites of success.


        THE IMAGE
        
        Fire over water:
        The image of the condition before transition.
        Thus the superior man is careful
        In the differentiation of things,
        So that each finds its place.


When fire, which by nature flames upward, is above, and water, which flows downward, 
is below, their effects take opposite directions and remain unrelated. If we wish 
to achieve an effect, we must first investigate the nature of the forces in question 
and ascertain their proper place. If we can bring these forces to bear in the right 
place, they will have the desired effect and completion will be achieved. But in order 
to handle external forces properly, we must above all arrive at the correct standpoint 
ourselves, for only from this vantage can we work correctly.

        THE LINES

        Six at the beginning means:
        He gets his tail in the water.
        Humiliating.

In times of disorder there is a temptation to advance oneself as rapidly as possible 
in order to accomplish something tangible. But this enthusiasm leads only to failure 
and humiliation if the time for achievement has not yet arrived. In such time it is 
wise to spare ourselves the opprobrium of failure by holding back.

        Nine in the second place means:
        He brakes his wheels.
        Perseverance brings good fortune.

Here again the time to act has not yet come. But the patience needed is not that of 
idle waiting without thought of the morrow. Kept up indefinitely, this would not lead 
to any success. Instead, an individual must develop in himself the strength that will 
enable him to go forward. He must have a vehicle, as it were, to effect the crossing. 
But he must for the time being use the brakes. Patience in the highest sense means 
putting brakes on strength. Therefore he must not fall asleep and lose sight of the 
goal. If he remains strong and steadfast in his resolve, all goes well in the end.

        Six in the third place means:
        Before completion, attack brings misfortune.
        It furthers one to cross the great water.

The time of transition has arrived, but one lacks the strength to complete the transition. 
If one should attempt to force it, disaster would result, because collapse would then be 
unavoidable. What is to be done? A new situation must be created; one must engage the 
energies of able helpers and in this fellowship take the decisive step-cross the great 
water. Then completion will become possible.

        Nine in the fourth place means:
        Perseverance brings good fortune.
        Remorse disappears.
        Shock, thus to discipline the Devil's Country.
        For three years, great realms are rewarded.

Now it is the time of struggle. The transition must be completed. We must make ourselves 
strong in resolution; this brings good fortune. All misgivings that might arise in such 
grave times of struggle must be silenced. It is a question of a fierce battle to break 
and to discipline the Devil's Country, the forces of decadence. But the struggle also has 
its reward. Now is the time to lay the foundations of power and mastery for the future.

        ° Six in the fifth place means:
        Perseverance brings good fortune.
        No remorse.
        The light of the superior man is true.
        Good fortune.

The victory has been won. The power of steadfastness has not been routed. Everything has 
gone well. All misgivings have been overcome. Success has justified the deed. The light 
of a superior personality shines forth anew and makes its influence felt among men who 
have faith in it and rally around it. The new time has arrived, and with it good fortune. 
And just as the sun shines forth in redoubled beauty after rain, or as a forest grows more 
freshly green from charred ruins after a fire, so the new era appears all the more glorious 
by contrast with the misery of the old.

        Nine at the top means:
        There is drinking of wine
        In genuine confidence. No blame.
        But if one wets his head,
        He loses it, in truth.

Before completion, at the dawning of the new time, friends foregather in an atmosphere 
of mutual trust, and the time of waiting is passed in conviviality. Since the new era 
is hard on the threshold, there is no blame in this. But one must be careful in all this 
to keep within proper bounds. If in his exuberance a man gets drunk, he forfeits the 
favorableness of the situation through his intemperance.

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