21. Shih Ho; Biting Through Above; Li the Clinging fire Below; Chen the Arousing thunder |
21st Century | Comparisons |
| Obstruction prevents closure. To finish with a thing you
must, as it were, bite through. Grit your teeth and endure the
consequences. To be done with the phase you wish to end.
Obstacles are posed by incipient larceny in the behaviour of those near by. Restraining them at the early stages will prevent the need for anything more severe. Most likely the young will have to learn from experience. As for the indignation you will feel, allow this to not colour your ability to make rational decisions. In the end the balance of the universe will be restored. Redress comes when you gain authority in the eyes of the culprits. If their respect is not forthcoming then the situation could well turn bad. Unfortunately in all life there are intractable problems, incorrigible people who will abuse and stretch every form of friendship you have to offer. To continue in association with them can only bring problems. Beware and govern yourself if you wish to govern others. |
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Below are the comparative interpretations of a) Legge, b) Willhelm, c) Riefler, d) Crowley
a) One with his feet in the stocks and deprived of his toes. There will be no error.
b) His feet are fastened in the stocks, So that his toes disappear. No blame
c) His feet are in the stocks; He loses his toes. No mistakes.
d) Nip crime in bud! Lop toes, put feet in stocks;
a) one biting through the soft flesh, and (going on to) bite off the nose. There will be no error.
b) Bites through tender meat so that his nose disappears. No blame.
c) The man bites through soft meat; he loses his nose. No mistakes.
d) Else flesh and nose must next be bitten through.
a) one gnawing dried flesh, and meeting with what is disagreeable. There will be occasion for small regret, but no (great) error.
b) Bites on old dried meat And strikes on something poisonous. Slight humiliation. No blame.
c) The man bites through dry meat; he encounters something rotten. A few minor regrets, no major mistakes.
d) Quick, or dried flesh gives double work to do!
a) one gnawing the flesh dried on the bone, and getting the pledges of money and arrows. It will be advantageous to him to realise the difficulty of his task and be firm, - in which case there will be good fortune.
b) Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties And to be persevering. Good fortune.
c) The man bites through dry meat stuck to the bone. Money and weapons are pledged to him. Auspicious if you keep to you course and recognize the difficulties.
d) Gnaw, gnaw. Fake pledges ere the gate unlocks.
a) one gnawing at dried flesh, and finding the yellow gold. Let him be firm and correct, realising the peril (of his position). There will be no error.
b) Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger. No blame.
c) The man bites through dry meat; he encounters gold. Keep to your course, recognizing your peril. No mistakes.
d) Gnaw! Gold rewards precaution firm and true
a) one wearing the cangue, and deprived of his ears. There will be evil.
b) sHis neck fastened in the wooden cangue, So that his ears disappear. Misfortune.
c) The man wears a yoke; he loses his ears. Ominous.
d) Or, last, the cangue - the ears cut off. Fate mocks.