比bi
Holding Together
See also: Wilhelm commentary for Hexagram 8
Hexagram Statement
卦辭
正義曰：「比吉」者，謂能相親比而得其吉。「原筮，元永貞，无咎」者，欲相親比，必能原窮其情，筮決其意，唯有元大永長貞正，乃得无咎。「元永貞」者，謂兩相親比，皆須永貞。「不寧方來」者，此是寧樂之時，若能與人親比，則不寧之方，皆悉歸來。「後夫凶」者，夫，語辭也。親比貴速，若及早而來，人皆親己，故在先者吉，若在後而至者，人或疏己，親比不成，故後夫凶。或以夫為丈夫，謂後來之人也。
The Correct Meaning states: 'Alliance is auspicious' means that being able to form close alliances with one another brings good fortune.
'Investigate through divination: a Sublime Beginning, perpetual Correctness, and no blame' means that when one wishes to form close alliances, one must be able to thoroughly investigate the underlying circumstances and decide the matter through divination; only when there is greatness, permanence, and correctness can one be free of blame.
'Sublime Beginning, perpetual Correctness' means that when two parties form a close alliance, both must maintain perpetual correctness.
'Those not at peace come from all quarters' means that this is a time of peace and contentment; if one can form close alliances with others, then those from quarters that are not at peace will all come. 'The one who arrives late meets misfortune'—fu is a particle.
In forming alliances, speed is valued; if one comes early, all will be close to oneself, so those who come first find good fortune. If one arrives late, others may distance themselves, and the alliance cannot be formed, hence the one who arrives late meets misfortune.
Alternatively, fu means 'man,' referring to the person who comes late.
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Source: eee-learning.com (易學網) · Edition: 武英殿十三經注疏