Annotated Book of Changes · Hexagram 7

shi

The Army

See also: Wilhelm commentary for Hexagram 7

Hexagram Statement

卦辭

經 Classic Text

師卦坎下坤上 師,貞,丈人吉,无咎。

Translation

Hexagram Shi: Kan below, Kun above.

The Army. Correctness. An elder of stature brings good fortune. No blame.

注 Wang Bi's Commentary

丈人,嚴莊之稱也。為師之正,丈人乃吉也。興役動眾,无功,罪也,故吉乃无咎也。

Translation

"Elder of stature" (zhàngrén) is a title for one who is stern and dignified. For the army to be correct, an elder of stature is needed for good fortune. To mobilize forces and set the multitude in motion without achieving merit is a crime; therefore, only with good fortune is there no blame.

疏 Kong Yingda's Subcommentary

「師,貞,丈人吉,无咎」者,正義曰:「師」,眾也。貞,正也。丈人謂嚴莊尊重之人,言為師之正,唯得嚴莊丈人監臨主領,乃得吉无咎。若不得丈人監臨之,眾不畏懼,不能齊眾,必有咎害。

Translation

The Correct Meaning states: "Shi" means multitude. "Zhen" means correct. "Elder of stature" refers to a person who is stern, dignified, and commanding of respect.

This means that for the army to be correct, only when a stern and dignified elder oversees and commands it can there be good fortune and no blame.

If one does not have an elder of stature to oversee it, the multitude will not be in awe, one cannot bring the multitude into order, and there will inevitably be blame and harm.

注「丈人」至「乃无咎也」。正義曰:「興役動眾,无功,罪」者,監臨師眾,當以威嚴,則有功勞,乃得无咎;若其不以威嚴,師必无功而有其罪*,故云「興役動眾无功,罪也」。

Translation

The Correct Meaning states: "To mobilize forces and set the multitude in motion without achieving merit is a crime" — when overseeing the army, one should employ authority and severity, and then there will be meritorious deeds, and only then is there no blame. "

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Source: eee-learning.com (易學網) · Edition: 武英殿十三經注疏