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Chinese Text Project
Simplified Chinese version
Show translation:[None] [English]

《归妹 - Gui Mei》

English translation: James Legge [?] Library Resources
1 归妹:
泽上有雷,归妹;君子以永终知敝。
Xiang Zhuan:
(The trigram representing the waters of) a marsh and over it that for thunder form Gui Mei. The superior man, in accordance with this, having regard to the far-distant end, knows the mischief (that may be done at the beginning).

2 归妹:
归妹以娣,以恒也。跛能履吉,相承也。
Xiang Zhuan:
'The younger sister is married off in a position ancillary to that of the real wife:' - it is the constant practice (for such a case). 'Lame on one leg, she is able to tramp along:' - she can render helpful service.

3 归妹:
利幽人之贞,未变常也。
Xiang Zhuan:
'There will be advantage in maintaining the firm correctness of a solitary widow:' - (the subject of the line) has not changed from the constancy (proper to a wife).

4 归妹:
归妹以须,未当也。
Xiang Zhuan:
'The younger sister who was to be married off is in a mean position:' - this is shown by the improprieties (indicated in the line).

5 归妹:
愆期之志,有待而行也。
Xiang Zhuan:
(The purpose in) 'protracting the time' is that, after waiting, the thing may be done (all the better).

6 归妹:
帝乙归妹,不如其娣之袂良也。其位在中,以贵行也。
Xiang Zhuan:
'The sleeves of the younger sister of (king) Di-yi, when she was married away, were not equal to those of her (half-)sister, who accompanied her:' - such was her noble character, indicated by the central position of the line.

7 归妹:
上六无实,承虚筐也。
Xiang Zhuan:
'(What is said in) the sixth SIX, (divided),about there being nothing in the basket' shows that the subject of it is carrying an empty basket.

URN: ctp:book-of-changes/gui-mei2