Xiè — Deliverance

Modern Interpretation

The southwest furthers. If there's nowhere left you have to go, return brings good fortune. If something remains to be done, hasten brings good fortune. Tensions ease. Return to ordinary conditions as soon as possible. Don't overdo the triumph—don't push further than necessary. Handle residual matters quickly for a clean sweep. Like rain relieving atmospheric tension, deliverance has a liberating effect. But it's just beginning.

Modern Interpretation

Thunder and rain set in, clearing the air. Pardon mistakes, forgive misdeeds. Pass over unintentional transgressions like thunder dying away. Wash clean intentional wrongs like rain washing everything pure. Clarity brings deliverance; don't dwell on failings.

「雷雨作，解。君子以赦過宥罪。」雷雨來了，空氣清新了。無心的過失，像雷聲消散那樣放過它。故意的錯誤，像雨水洗淨一切那樣寬恕它。不要糾纏於別人的過錯。清明帶來解脫。

Driving out for a journey, birds battle before the chariot, tearing at each other. Soldiers and brigands arrive at dawn; he turns the chariot and races back, and thus avoids all worry.

Constable painted this bucolic English countryside scene showing a hay cart fording the River Stour in Suffolk. The calm, sunlit landscape depicts agricultural labor resuming after difficulties, illustrating release from tension and the return to productive, unobstructed work.

The Judgment

This refers to a time in which tensions and complications begin to be eased. At such times we ought to make our way back to ordinary conditions as soon as possible; this is the meaning of "the southwest. " These periods of sudden change have great importance. Just as rain relieves atmospheric tension, making all the buds burst open, so a time of deliverance from burdensome pressure has a liberating and stimulating effect on life. One thing is important, however: in such times we must not overdo our triumph. The point is not to push on farther than is necessary. Returning to the regular order of life as soon as deliverance is achieved brings good fortune. If there are any residual matters that ought to be attended to, it should be done as quickly as possible, so that a clean sweep is made and no retardations occur.

The Image

A thunderstorm has the effect of clearing the air; the superior man produces a similar effect when dealing with mistakes and sins of men that induce a condition of tension. Through clarity he brings deliverance. However, when failings come to light, he does not dwell on them; he simply passes over mistakes, the unintentional transgressions, just as thunder dies away. He forgives misdeeds, the intentional transgressions, just as water washes everything clean.

First (Bottom) Line

In keeping with the situation, few words are needed. The hindrance is past, deliverance has come. One recuperates in peace and keeps still. This is the right thing to do in times when difficulties have been overcome.

Second Line

The image is taken from the hunt. The hunter catches three cunning foxes and receives a yellow arrow as a reward. The obstacles in public life are the designing foxes who try to influence the ruler through flattery. They must be removed before there can be any deliverance. But the struggle must not be carried on with the wrong weapons. The yellow color points to measure and mean in proceeding against the enemy; the arrow signifies the straight course. If one devotes himself wholeheartedly to the task of deliverance, he develops so much inner strength from his rectitude that it acts as a weapon against all that is false and low.

Third Line

This refers to a man who has come out of needy circumstances into comfort and freedom from want. If now, in the manner of an upstart, he tries to take his ease in comfortable surroundings that do not suit his nature, he thereby attracts robbers. If he goes on thus he is sure to bring disgrace upon himself. Confucius says about this line: Carrying a burden on the back is the business of a common man; a carriage is the appurtenance of a man of rank. Now, when a common man uses the appurtenance of a man of rank, robbers plot to take it away from him. If a man is insolent toward those above him and hard toward those below him, robbers plot to attack him. Carelessness in guarding things tempts thieves to steal. Sumptuous ornaments worn by a maiden are an enticement to rob her of her virtue.

Fourth Line

In times of standstill it will happen that inferior people attach themselves to a superior man, and through force of daily habit they may grow very close to him and become indispensable, just as the big toe is indispensable to the foot because it makes walking easier. But when the time of deliverance draws near, with its call to deeds, a man must free himself from such chance acquaintances with whom he has no inner connection. For otherwise the friends who share his views, on whom he could really rely and together with whom he could accomplish something, mistrust him and stay away.

Fifth Line

Times of deliverance demand inner resolve. Inferior people cannot be driven off by prohibitions or any external means. If one desires to be rid of them, he must first break completely with them in his own mind; they will see for themselves that he is in earnest and will withdraw.

Sixth (Top) Line

The hawk on a high wall is the symbol of a powerful inferior in a high position who is hindering the deliverance. He withstands the force of inner influences, because he is hardened in his wickedness. He must be forcibly removed, and this requires appropriate means. Confucius says about this line: