Hexagram 10 · Lǚ (履) · Careful Steps
- Upper trigram
- 乾 Heaven
- Lower trigram
- 兑 Lake
The image is of stepping carefully near a tiger's tail. The situation calls for caution and good conduct. When dealing with stronger people or delicate circumstances, courtesy and a sense of proportion keep you safe. Caution here is not fear; it is respect for real risk.
Editorial summaryJudgment
履虎尾，不咥人，亨。
(Lî suggests the idea of) one treading on the tail of a tiger, which does not bite him. There will be progress and success.
Line 1
初九：素履，往无咎。
The first line, undivided, shows its subject treading his accustomed path. If he go forward, there will be no error.
Line 2
九二：履道坦坦，幽人貞吉。
The second line, undivided, shows its subject treading the path that is level and easy;—a quiet and solitary man, to whom, if he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune.
Line 3
六三：眇能視，跛能履，履虎尾，咥人，凶。武人為于大君。
The third line, divided, shows a one-eyed man (who thinks he) can see; a lame man (who thinks he) can walk well; one who treads on the tail of a tiger and is bitten. (All this indicates) ill fortune. We have a (mere) bravo acting the part of a great ruler.
Line 4
九四：履虎尾，愬愬終吉。
The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject treading on the tail of a tiger. He becomes full of apprehensive caution, and in the end there will be good fortune.
Line 5
九五：夬履，貞厲。
The fifth line, undivided, shows the resolute tread of its subject. Though he be firm and correct, there will be peril.
Line 6
上九：視履考祥，其旋元吉。
The sixth line, undivided, tells us to look at (the whole course) that is trodden, and examine the presage which that gives. If it be complete and without failure, there will be great good fortune.
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