The 64 Hexagrams / 64
Hexagram 64 · ䷿
Before Completion
未濟 · Wèi Jì
Upper Fire 離Lower Water 坎
The Judgment · 卦辭
亨。小狐汔濟，濡其尾，无攸利。
Wei Žî intimates progress and success (in the circumstances which it implies). (We see) a young fox that has nearly crossed (the stream), when its tail gets immersed. There will be no advantage in any way.
The Image · 大象
火在水上，未濟；君子以慎辨物居方。
(The trigram representing) water and that for fire above it form Wei Žî. The superior man, in accordance with this, carefully discriminates among (the qualities of) things, and the (different) positions they (naturally) occupy.
Plain-English Meaning
Before completion. The transition is not yet finished; proceed with care and awareness.
The Judgment
Before completion there is success, but rushing at the end spoils the crossing.
The Image
Like fire above water, distinguish things carefully and put each in its place.
Editorial summary written for this site; not a translation.
The Lines · 爻辭
- 初六 · Line 1濡其尾，吝。The first SIX, divided, shows its subject (like a fox) whose tail gets immersed. There will be occasion for regret.象曰：濡其尾，亦不知極也。
- 九二 · Line 2曳其輪，貞吉。The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject dragging back his (carriage-) wheel. With firmness and correctness there will be good fortune.象曰：九二貞吉，中以行正也。
- 六三 · Line 3未濟，征凶，利涉大川。The third SIX, divided, shows its subject, with (the state of things) not yet remedied, advancing on; which will lead to evil. But there will be advantage in (trying to) cross the great stream.象曰：未濟征凶，位不當也。
- 九四 · Line 4貞吉，悔亡，震用伐鬼方，三年有賞于大國。The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject by firm correctness obtaining good fortune, so that all occasion for repentance disappears. Let him stir himself up, as if he were invading the Demon region, where for three years rewards will come to him (and his troops) from the great kingdom.象曰：貞吉悔亡，志行也。
- 六五 · Line 5貞吉，无悔，君子之光，有孚，吉。The fifth SIX, divided, shows its subject by firm correctness obtaining good fortune, and having no occasion for repentance. (We see in him) the brightness of a superior man, and the possession of sincerity. There will be good fortune.象曰：君子之光，其暉吉也。
- 上九 · Line 6有孚于飲酒，无咎，濡其首，有孚失是。The topmost NINE, undivided, shows its subject full of confidence and therefore feasting (quietly). There will be no error. (If he) cherish this confidence, till he (is like the fox who) gets his head immersed, it will fail of what is right.象曰：飲酒濡首，亦不知節也。
English: James Legge (1882), public domain · Text · Image (Appendix II), sacred-texts.com.