53.	 Chien
 	     Gradual Progress.    

Upper Trigram: Sun; Gentle Penetration,
                                       Mildness, Wind, Wood.
Lower Trigram: Ken; Inaction, a Mountain.

Governing Rulers: Six in the second place.
                                    Nine in the fifth place.
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The Image:
On top of the mountain stands a tree: the image of Chien.
The superior man, in accordance with this, attains to maintain his extraordinary virtue, to make the manners of the people good.
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Miscellaneous Signs: 
In Chien we see a bride who will delay
until the bridegroom takes his way.
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The Judgement:
Chien suggests to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune attending it. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.

Commentary:
The advantage indicated by Chien is like the marrying of a young lady which is attended by good fortune. The lines as they advance get into their correct places: this indicates the achievements of a successful progress. The advance is made according to correctness: the subject of the hexagram might rectify his country.
Among the places we see the strong line in the centre (the fifth place).
In the attributes of inaction and flexible penetration we have the assurance of an onward movement that is inexhaustible.
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The Lines:

Six in the bottom place:
Showing the wild geese gradually appoaching the shore. A young officer, in similar circumstances, will find himself in a position of danger, and be spoken against; but there will be no error.
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Six in the second place:
 O
Showing the wild geese gradually appoaching the large rocks, where they eat and drink joyfully and at ease. There will be good fortune.
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Nine in the third place:
Showing the wild geese gradually advanced to the dry plains. A husband goes on an expedition from which he does not return. A wife is pregnant but will not give birth to her child. There will be evil.
It might be advantageous to resist plunderers.
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Six in the fourth place:
Showing the wild geese gradually advanced to the trees. They may light on the flat branches.
There will be no error.
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Nine in the fifth place:
 O
Showing the wild geese gradually advanced to the high mound. A wife for three years does not become pregnant; but in the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune.
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Top-most nine:
Showing the wild geese gradually advanced to the large heights beyond. Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune.
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Commentaries:

Six in the bottom place:
'The danger in which the small officer finds himself, is owing to no fault of his in the matter of what is right.
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Six in the second place:
'They eat and drink joyfully and at ease': but not without having earned their food.
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Nine in the third place:
'A husband goes and does not return': he separates himself from his comrades.
'A wife is pregnant but will not give birth to her child': she has failed in her course.
'It might be advantageous to resist plunderers': men would thereby preserve one another.
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Six in the fourth place:
'They may light on the flat branches': there is docility in the line, going on to flexible penetration.
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Nine in the fifth place:
'In the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune': the subject of the line will get his desire.
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Top-most nine:
'Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune': the subject's object and character cannot be disturbed.
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