遁 · 退
Judgement
亨，小利贞。
Success. Small — furthered by steadfastness.
The Image
天下有山，遁。君子以远小人，不恶而严。
Below heaven, a mountain: retreat. So the superior man keeps the small man at a distance, not with hatred but with reserve.
The Lines
遁尾，厉，勿用有攸往。
Retreat’s tail: danger. Do not go anywhere.
“遁尾”之“厉”，不往，何灾也？
The danger of retreat’s tail: not going — what calamity?
执之用黄牛之革，莫之胜说。
Held with yellow ox-leather; none can break it.
“执用黄牛”，固志也。
Held with the yellow ox: the will is made firm.
系遁，有疾厉；畜臣妾，吉。
Tied retreat: sickness and danger. Keeping servants and concubines is auspicious.
“系遁之厉”，有疾惫也；“畜臣妾，吉”，不可大事也。
The danger of tied retreat: he is sick and worn out. Keeping servants and concubines is auspicious: no great affairs.
好遁，君子吉，小人否。
Willing retreat: for the superior man, auspicious; for the small man, not.
“君子”“好遁”，“小人否”也。
The superior man’s willing retreat: the small man does not.
嘉遁，贞吉。
Admirable retreat. Steadfastness is auspicious.
“嘉遁，贞吉”，以正志也。
Admirable retreat, steadfastness auspicious: he sets his will right.
肥遁，无不利。
Generous retreat; nothing unfurthered.
“肥遁，无不利”，无所疑也。
Generous retreat, nothing unfurthered: nothing is doubted.
Reading
天之道自山而退。退不是败，是对距离的正确使用——经文把它分级：初之退、中之退、上之退，各有各的体面。唯有一条：退要不慌；慌里办的事，收不回来。