6. Conflict 訟
Song · Water over Heaven
The Judgment
You face friction or dispute, and even if you are in the right, pressing the conflict all the way is risky. It is better to stop partway, seek fair mediation, and avoid a costly fight to the bitter end. Stay clear-eyed and cautious, and lean toward resolution rather than victory at any price.
The Image
Like the tension between two forces moving in opposite directions, the wise person prevents disputes by thinking carefully at the very start of any undertaking.
What it means
Conflict is in the air, whether a disagreement, a competing interest, or a clash of needs. The key insight is that winning outright is often less valuable than de-escalating wisely.
Resist the pull to fight to the finish. Even a just cause can become a losing one if you push it past the point of reason, draining resources and goodwill. Look for a fair middle ground and be willing to settle.
Where possible, seek an impartial third party or a clear principle to anchor the resolution. And remember the deeper lesson: most disputes are best prevented by clarifying expectations and agreements before things start.
Love and relationships
Don't try to win every argument; choose understanding over being right, and address tensions early before they harden into entrenched conflict.
Career and decisions
Avoid drawn-out workplace battles; document fairly, seek mediation when needed, and prefer a reasonable settlement to a costly all-out fight.
The six lines
- 1. Nine at the beginning
If you let a dispute go early rather than escalating, it stays small and manageable. A little friction now, dropped quickly, ends well.
When changing: Advises disengaging early so a minor conflict doesn't grow.
- 2. Nine in the second place
When you cannot win, there is no shame in stepping back. Withdraw from a fight you can't carry, and protect those who depend on you.
When changing: Counsels prudent retreat rather than a doomed confrontation.
- 3. Nine in the third place
Rely on steady, established ground rather than chasing contested gains. Quiet, dependable work keeps you safe even amid surrounding tension.
When changing: Suggests holding to solid, proven footing instead of risky striving.
- 4. Six in the fourth place
You may feel the urge to fight, but the wiser move is to turn back toward what is right. Let go of the impulse to contend and find peace in fair conduct.
When changing: Indicates that releasing the will to fight and choosing fairness restores calm.
- 5. Nine in the fifth place
Bringing the dispute before a fair and capable authority leads to a just outcome. Trust a credible, impartial process to resolve things rightly.
When changing: Marks a favorable resolution through fair mediation or honest judgment.
- 6. Six at the top
Even a hard-won victory in conflict tends to be fragile and contested. Whatever you gain by fighting all the way is unlikely to bring lasting peace.
When changing: Warns that triumph achieved through relentless contention won't hold.
Related hexagrams
訟 Conflict
Cast this for your questionOn-page guidance is original modern synthesis for reflection, informed by the public-domain Legge text. It is not a reproduction of any copyrighted translation, and not a prediction.