63. After Completion (既济)

Pronunciation: 'Sang' is pronounced xi-lang; 'fu' is pronounced li-fo. Line Two, with the virtue of civilized clarity and upright centrality, corresponds above with Nine in the Fifth Place, a firm, yang, centered and upright ruler; properly, it ought to carry out its aspirations.

Yet Nine in the Fifth Place dwells in a time of After Completion and cannot humble itself before the worthy to practice the Dao; therefore, Line Two has the image of a woman losing her carriage screen.

The carriage screen (fu) is the curtain of a woman's carriage, meaning that she loses that by which she travels. However, the Dao of upright centrality cannot be permanently abandoned; once the time passes, it will be put into practice.

Hence there is also the admonition: 'Do not pursue it, and it will be obtained on its own.'

Six in the Second Place, with the virtue of civilized clarity and upright centrality, responds above to Nine in the Fifth Place, a firm, yang, centered, and upright ruler; properly, it should carry out its aspirations.

Yet the fifth line has already attained the honored position, and the time is already completed with no further need to advance and take action. How then could the ruler have any intention of seeking out and employing worthy talents below?

Therefore, the second line cannot carry out its course. Since ancient times, few who attained completion were able to employ capable men. Even Emperor Taizong of Tang, renowned for employing men of counsel, grew lax in the end; how much more so those beneath him!

At such a time, firm centrality instead turns into complacent self-satisfaction, and Kan and Li become mutually discordant. If one can recognize the times and understand change, one is fit to speak of the Changes. Line Two is yin, so it is spoken of as a woman.

The carriage screen (fu) is what a woman uses to conceal herself when going out; if she loses her screen, she cannot travel. Line Two is not sought and employed by Line Five, so it cannot act—just like a woman losing her carriage screen.

Yet how could the Dao of upright centrality ever be permanently discarded? Once the time passes, it will be practiced. Pursuing means chasing after external things; chasing after things means losing one's original adherence. Therefore, the warning is given: do not pursue.

If one preserves oneself without straying, it will be recovered in seven days. A hexagram has six line-positions; with seven, change occurs. 'Obtained in seven days' means that the time changes.

Although one is not employed by superiors, the Dao of upright centrality can never be discarded forever; if it cannot be practiced today, it will certainly be practiced at another time. Deep indeed is the sage's counsel and warning!

Although the Dao of upright centrality is not employed by the times, there is no principle by which it will never be practiced.

Therefore, losing the carriage screen and recovering it in seven days means that by steadfastly holding to the Central Position within oneself, it will surely be practiced at another time. Not losing one's Central Position ensures correctness.

Dwelling in the center and treading correctness, occupying the fullness of civilized clarity, and responding to the fifth line, it is the radiant brilliance of yin at its peak.

Yet it sits between the initial line and Nine in the Third Place, close to them without finding harmonious accord: above it does not line-support Three, and below it does not hold close to Initial Nine.

When a brilliantly radiant yin line dwells between two yang lines without close accord, how can it avoid being encroached upon? Therefore it is said: 'She loses her carriage screen.'

Calling her a 'woman' makes clear that she already has a husband, yet another encroaches upon her. 'Fu' is a carriage screen. One who holds to uprightness through the middle way and is encroached upon will be aided by the multitude.

Dwelling in a time of After Completion, evil ways are not tolerated. Since the time is clear and strict, and the multitude also lends aid, the thief flees into hiding with nowhere to return it.

Sizing up this circumstance, it will not exceed seven days; there is no need to pursue it, for it will be regained on its own.

From 'Six in the Second Place' to 'obtained in seven days.' The Correct Meaning states: Regarding 'The woman loses her carriage screen; do not pursue it, in seven days it will be obtained': 'Fu' is a woman's carriage screen.

Six in the Second Place dwells in the center and treads correctness, occupying the fullness of civilized clarity, and responding to Five; it is the radiant brilliance of yin at its peak.

Yet it sits between Nine at the Beginning and Nine in the Third Place, close to them without finding harmonious accord. When a brilliantly radiant yin line dwells between two yang lines without close accord, how could it avoid being encroached upon?

Therefore it is said: 'The woman loses her carriage screen.' Calling her a 'woman' makes clear that she already has a husband, yet another encroaches upon her. One who holds to steadfast correctness through the middle way and suffers encroachment will be aided by all things.

Dwelling in a time of After Completion, corrupt paths are not tolerated. Since the time is clear and strict, and the multitude also lends aid, the thief flees into hiding with nowhere to turn.

Sizing up this situation, it will not exceed seven days; there is no need to chase it oneself, for it will be regained of its own accord. Hence it is said: 'Do not pursue it, in seven days it will be obtained.'

The Correct Meaning states: 'Because of the middle way' explains why there is no need to pursue it to obtain it: it is because one steadfastly adheres to the middle way.