Hexagram 64 Line 6: 上九

Classical Chinese Text

上九 有孚于飲酒。无咎。濡其首。有孚失是。

有孚于飲酒

Line Commentary

There is drinking of wine in genuine confidence. No blame. But if one wets his head, he loses it, in truth. Before completion, at the dawning of the new time, friends foregather in an atmosphere of mutual trust, and the time of waiting is passed in conviviality. Since the new era is hard on the threshold, there is no blame in this. But one must be careful to keep within proper bounds. If in exuberance a person gets drunk, they forfeit the favorableness of the situation through intemperance. The Book of Changes is a book of the future. Every end contains a new beginning. Thus it gives hope.

Commentary

Drinking wine in genuine confidence—no blame. But if you wet your head, you lose it in truth. Before completion, at the dawning of the new time, friends gather in mutual trust, the time of waiting passed in conviviality. Since the new era is at the threshold, there is no blame in this. But keep within proper bounds. If in exuberance you get drunk, you forfeit the favorable situation through intemperance. Every end contains a new beginning; thus the Book of Changes gives hope.