Hexagram Statement
卦辭
夫民可與習常，難與適變。可與樂成，難與慮始。故革之為道，即日不孚，已日乃孚也。孚，然後乃得元亨利貞悔亡也。已日而不孚，革不當也。悔吝之所生，生乎變動者也。革而當，其悔乃亡也。
The people can be accustomed to the habitual but find it difficult to adapt to change. They can rejoice in accomplishment but find it difficult to deliberate at the beginning. Therefore in the Way of Revolution, on the very day there is no trust, but when the day is done there is trust.
Only after there is trust can one attain Sublime Beginning, Success, Benefit, Correctness, and the vanishing of regret. If after the day is done there is still no trust, then the revolution is not appropriate. The arising of regret and distress is born from change and movement.
When the revolution is appropriate, then regret vanishes.
正義曰：革者，改變之名也。此卦明改制革命，故名革也。「已日乃孚」者，夫民情可與習常，難與適變，可與樂成，難與慮始。故革命之初，人未信服，所以即日不孚，已日乃孚也。「元亨利貞悔亡」者，為革而民信之，然後乃得大通而利正也。悔吝之所生，生乎變動，革之為義，變動者也。革若不當，則悔吝交及，如能大通利貞，則革道當矣。為革而當，乃得亡其悔吝，故曰「元亨，利貞，悔亡」。
The Correct Meaning states: "Revolution" (ge) is the name for change and transformation. This hexagram illuminates the reform of institutions and the revolution of the mandate, hence it is named Revolution.
"When the day is done, there is trust" — the nature of the people is such that they can be accustomed to the habitual but find it difficult to adapt to change; they can rejoice in accomplishment but find it difficult to deliberate at the beginning.
Therefore at the beginning of a revolution, the people have not yet believed and submitted. This is why on the very day there is no trust, but when the day is done there is trust.
"Sublime Beginning, Success, Benefit, Correctness, and regret vanishes" — when revolution is carried out and the people trust it, only then can one attain great success and beneficial correctness.
The arising of regret and distress is born from change and movement; the meaning of revolution is precisely change and movement. If the revolution is not appropriate, then regret and distress will come together.
If one can attain great success and beneficial correctness, then the Way of revolution is appropriate. "
Unlock Full Scholarly Text
Verify your email to access the complete bilingual translation. We'll send you a one-click verification link.
Free access. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Source: eee-learning.com (易學網) · Edition: 武英殿十三經注疏