Biting Through
"Thunder and lightning. Penalties must be applied clearly. Bite through the obstacle."
The Judgment
Biting Through has success. It is favorable to let justice be administered.
Original Text
亨。利用狱。
The Image
Thunder and lightning: The image of Biting Through. Thus the kings of former times made firm the laws through clearly defined penalties.
Original Text
雷电，噬嗑；先王以明罚敕法。
The Lines
Nine at the Beginning初九
"His feet are fastened in the stocks, so that his toes disappear. No blame."
Small punishments for small crimes prevent larger ones.
Original: 屦校灭趾，无咎。
Six at the Place 2六二
"Bites through tender meat, so that his nose disappears. No blame."
Easy problems should be dealt with quickly and thoroughly.
Original: 噬肤灭鼻，无咎。
Six at the Place 3六三
"Bites on old dried meat and strikes on something poisonous. Slight humiliation. No blame."
Old problems are hard to solve and may cause resentment. Persistence is needed.
Original: 噬腊肉，遇毒。小吝，无咎。
Nine at the Place 4九四
"Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties and to be persevering. Good fortune."
Great difficulties require strength and determination to overcome.
Original: 噬干胏，得金矢。利艰贞，吉。
Six at the Place 5六五
"Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger. No blame."
Solving the problem yields valuable results. Stay balanced.
Original: 噬干肉，得黄金。贞厉，无咎。
Nine at the Top上九
"His neck is fastened in the wooden cangue, so that his ears disappear. Misfortune."
Refusing to listen to warnings leads to severe punishment.
Original: 何校灭耳，凶。