Small Exceeding (62)

6
5
4
3
2
1

The Judgement

PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL.  Success.
Perseverance furthers.
Small things may be done; great things should not be done.
The flying bird brings the message:
It is not well to strive upward,
It is well to remain below.
Great good fortune.

The Image

Thunder on the mountain:
The image of PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL.
Thus in his conduct the superior man gives preponderance to reverence.
In bereavement he gives preponderance to grief.
In his expenditures he gives preponderance to thrift.

Line Poems

  • 6 - He passes him by, not meeting him. The flying bird leaves him. Misfortune. This means bad luck and injury.
  • 5 - Dense clouds, No rain from our western territory. The prince shoots and hits him who is in the cave.
  • 4 - No blame.  He meets him without passing by. Going brings danger.  One must be on guard. Do not act.  Be constantly persevering.
  • 3 - If one is not extremely careful, Somebody may come up from behind and strike him. Misfortune.
  • 2 - She passes by her ancestor And meets her ancestress. He does not reach his prince And meets the official. No blame.
  • 1 - The bird meets with misfortune through flying.

Commentary

While in the hexagram Ta Kuo, PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT (28), the strong lines preponderate and are within, inclosed between weak lines at the top and bottom, the present hexagram has weak lines preponderating, though here again they are on the outside, the strong lines being within. 
This indeed is the basis of the exceptional situation indicated by the hexagram. 
When strong lines are outside, we have the hexagram I, PROVIDING NOURISHMENT (27), or Chung Fu, INNER TRUTH, (61); neither represents an exceptional state. 
When strong elements within preponderate, they necessarily enforce their will. 
This creates struggle and exceptional conditions in general. 
But in the present hexagram it is the weak element that perforce must mediate with the outside world. 
If a man occupies a position of authority for which he is by nature really inadequate, extraordinary prudence is necessary.
Code Incarnate