| | 困: |
澤无水，困；君子以致命遂志。 |
| Xiang Zhuan: |
(The trigram representing) a marsh, and (below it that for a defile, which has drained the other dry so that there is) no water in it, form Kun. The superior man, in accordance with this, will sacrifice his life in order to carry out his purpose. |
| | 困: |
入于幽谷，幽不明也。 |
| Xiang Zhuan: |
'He enters a dark valley:' - so benighted is he, and without clear vision. |
| | 困: |
困于酒食，中有慶也。 |
| Xiang Zhuan: |
'He is straitened amidst his wine and viands:' - (but) his position is central, and there will be ground for congratulation. |
| | 困: |
據于蒺蔾，乘剛也。入于其宮，不見其妻，不祥也。 |
| Xiang Zhuan: |
'He lays hold of thorns:' - (this is suggested by the position of the line) above the strong (line). 'He enters his palace, and does not see his wife:' - this is inauspicious. |
| | 困: |
來徐徐，志在下也。雖不當位，有與也。 |
| Xiang Zhuan: |
'He proceeds very slowly (to help the subject of the first line):' - his aim is directed to (help) that lower (line). Although he is not in his appropriate place, he and that other will (in the end) be together. |
| | 困: |
劓刖，志未得也。乃徐有說，以中直也。利用祭祀，受福也。 |
| Xiang Zhuan: |
'His nose and feet are cut off:' - his aim has not yet been gained. 'He is leisurely, however, in his movements, and is satisfied:' - his position is central and (his virtue) is correct. 'It will be well for him to be (as sincere as) in sacrificing:' - so shall he receive blessing. |
| | 困: |
困于葛藟，未當也。動悔，有悔吉，行也。 |
| Xiang Zhuan: |
'He is straitened as if bound with creepers: (his spirit and action) are unsuitable. '(He says), "If I move, I shall repent of it." And he does repent (of former errors), which leads to good fortune:' - so he (now) goes on. |
