| ䷁坤: |
坤:元亨,利牝馬之貞。君子有攸往,先迷後得主,利西南得朋,東北喪朋。安貞,吉。 |
| Kun: |
Kun (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and having the firmness of a mare. When the superior man (here intended) has to make any movement, if he take the initiative, he will go astray; if he follow, he will find his (proper) lord. The advantageousness will be seen in his getting friends in the south-west, and losing friends in the north-east. If he rest in correctness and firmness, there will be good fortune. |
| 彖傳: |
至哉坤元,萬物資生,乃順承天。坤厚載物,德合无疆。含弘光大,品物咸亨。牝馬地類,行地无疆,柔順利貞。君子攸行,先迷失道,後順得常。西南得朋,乃與類行;東北喪朋,乃終有慶。安貞之吉,應地无疆。 |
| Tuan Zhuan: |
Complete is the 'great and originating (capacity)' indicated by Kun! All things owe to it their birth; - it receives obediently the influences of Heaven. Kun, in its largeness, supports and contains all things. Its excellent capacity matches the unlimited power (of Qian). Its comprehension is wide, and its brightness great. The various things obtain (by it) their full development. The mare is a creature of earthly kind. Its (power of) moving on the earth is without limit; it is mild and docile, advantageous and firm: - such is the course of the superior man. 'If he take the initiative, he goes astray:' - he misses, that is, his proper course. 'If he follow,' he is docile, and gets into his regular (course). 'In the south-west he will get friends:' - he will be walking with those of his own class. 'In the north-east he will lose friends:' - but in the end there will be ground for congratulation. 'The good fortune arising from resting in firmness' corresponds to the unlimited capacity of the earth. |
| 象傳: |
地勢坤,君子以厚德載物。 |
| Xiang Zhuan: |
The (capacity and sustaining) power of the earth is what is denoted by Kun. The superior man, in accordance with this, with his large virtue supports (men and) things. |