#47
Oppression (困)
Kùn
Exhaustion; keep the word intact.
Source: Our commentary · editorial-en-v1
Lower trigram: Water (坎 Kǎn) — danger and depth
Upper trigram: Lake (兑 Duì) — joyous openness
Judgment — our commentary
Oppression exhausts speech. Keep your word intact even when resources feel empty.
The six lines
Line 1
Oppression: begin quietly. Exhaustion; keep the word intact shows first as a small, careful step rather than a public claim.
Reflection: What smallest faithful step is available now?
Line 2
Oppression: gather allies or resources. Keep exhaustion; keep the word intact practical—test one move before scaling.
Reflection: What support makes the next step safer?
Line 3
Oppression: work intensifies. Stay honest about fatigue so exhaustion; keep the word intact does not tip into rash force.
Reflection: Where should you pause before pushing harder?
Line 4
Oppression: a fork appears. Choose the option that keeps integrity even if it is slower.
Reflection: Which choice can you fully own?
Line 5
Oppression: your stance influences others. Model exhaustion; keep the word intact without pressuring people to mirror you.
Reflection: How can you lead without dominating?
Line 6
Oppression: close the cycle. Soften excess, keep the lesson, and do not cling to the peak.
Reflection: What deserves a clean ending rather than a cling?