34. Great Power (Ta Chuang)

Wilhelm Translation

Traditional interpretation based on Richard Wilhelm's translation.

Thunder under heaven. Represents great strength requiring wise and careful use.

Line 1: Power in the toes. Continuing brings misfortune. This is certainly true.
Line 2: Perseverance brings good fortune.
Line 3: The inferior man works through power. The superior man does not act thus. To continue is dangerous. A goat butts against a hedge and gets its horns entangled.
Line 4: Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. The hedge opens; there is no entanglement. Power depends upon the axle of a big cart.
Line 5: Loses the goat with ease. No remorse.
Line 6: A goat butts against a hedge. It cannot go backward, it cannot go forward. Nothing serves to further. If one notes the difficulty, this brings good fortune.