The 64 Hexagrams / 6
Hexagram 6 · ䷅
Conflict
訟 · Sòng
Upper Heaven 乾Lower Water 坎
The Judgment · 卦辭
有孚，窒，惕，中吉，終凶。利見大人，不利涉大川。
Sung intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune, while, if he must prosecute the contention to the (bitter) end, there will be evil. It will be advantageous to see the great man; it will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.
The Image · 大象
天與水違行，訟；君子以作事謀始。
(The trigram representing) heaven and (that representing) water, moving away from each other, form Sung. The superior man, in accordance with this, in the transaction of affairs takes good counsel about his first steps.
Plain-English Meaning
Conflict is present. Clarify, seek fair counsel, and avoid pushing a dispute to the bitter end.
The Judgment
Even if you are right, meeting halfway is wiser than fighting to the finish; consult someone impartial.
The Image
Like sky and water moving apart, think carefully at the very start of any undertaking.
Editorial summary written for this site; not a translation.
The Lines · 爻辭
- 初六 · Line 1不永所事，小有言，終吉。The first SIX, divided, shows its subject not perpetuating the matter about which (the contention is). He will suffer the small (injury) of being spoken against, but the end will be fortunate.象曰：不永所事，訟不可長也。雖小有言，其辯明也。
- 九二 · Line 2不克訟，歸而逋，其邑人三百戶无眚。The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. If he retire and keep concealed (where) the inhabitants of his city are (only) three hundred families, he will fall into no mistake.象曰：不克訟，歸逋竄也。自下訟上，患至掇也。
- 六三 · Line 3食舊德，貞厲，終吉。或從王事，无成。The third SIX, divided, shows its subject keeping in the old place assigned for his support, and firmly correct. Perilous as the position is, there will be good fortune in the end. Should he perchance engage in the king's business, he will not (claim the merit of) achievement.象曰：食舊德，從上吉也。
- 九四 · Line 4不克訟，復即命渝，安貞吉。The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. He returns to (the study of Heaven's) ordinances, changes (his wish to contend), and rests in being firm and correct. There will be good fortune.象曰：復即命渝，安貞，不失也。
- 九五 · Line 5訟，元吉。The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject contending;--and with great good fortune.象曰：訟，元吉，以中正也。
- 上九 · Line 6或錫之鞶帶，終朝三褫之。The topmost NINE, undivided, shows how its subject may have the leathern belt conferred on him (by the sovereign), and thrice it shall be taken from him in a morning.象曰：以訟受服，亦不足敬也。
English: James Legge (1882), public domain · Text · Image (Appendix II), sacred-texts.com.