Hexagram 9 · Xiǎo Xù (小畜) · Small Restraint

小畜：亨。密雲不雨，自我西郊。

Hsiâo Khû indicates that (under its conditions) there will be progress and success. (We see) dense clouds, but no rain coming from our borders in the west.

初九：復自道，何其咎，吉。

The first line, undivided, shows its subject returning and pursuing his own course. What mistake should he fall into? There will be good fortune.

九二：牽復，吉。

The second line, undivided, shows its subject, by the attraction (of the former line), returning (to the proper course). There will be good fortune.

九三：輿說輻，夫妻反目。

The third line, undivided, suggests the idea of a carriage, the strap beneath which has been removed, or of a husband and wife looking on each other with averted eyes.

六四：有孚，血去惕出，无咎。

The fourth line, divided, shows its subject possessed of sincerity. The danger of bloodshed is thereby averted, and his (ground for) apprehension dismissed. There will be no mistake.

九五：有孚攣如，富以其鄰。

The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject possessed of sincerity, and drawing others to unite with him. Rich in resources, he employs his neighbours (in the same cause with himself).

上九：既雨既處，尚德載，婦貞厲，月幾望，君子征凶。

The topmost line, undivided, shows how the rain has fallen, and the (onward progress) is stayed;—(so) must we value the full accumulation of the virtue (represented by the upper trigram). But a wife (exercising restraint), however firm and correct she may be, is in a position of peril, (and like) the moon approaching to the full. If the superior man prosecute his measures (in such circumstances), there will be evil.