困 · 穷

臀困于株木，入于幽谷，三岁不觌。

Buttocks oppressed by the stump; entering the dark valley; three years not seen.

“入于幽谷”，幽不明也。

Entering the dark valley: dark and not bright.

困于酒食，朱绂方来，利用享祀；征凶，无咎。

Oppressed by wine and food; the red knee-covers arrive. It furthers to offer sacrifice. Going is ill; no blame.

“困于酒食”，中有庆也。

Oppressed by wine and food: within, cause for celebration.

困于石，据于蒺藜，入于其宫，不见其妻，凶。

Oppressed by stone, leaning on thorns; entering his house, not seeing his wife. Ill.

“据于蒺藜”，乘刚也；“入于其宫，不见其妻”，不祥也。

Leaning on thorns: he mounts the hard line. Entering his house, not seeing his wife: not auspicious.

来徐徐，困于金车，吝，有终。

Coming very slowly, oppressed by the golden cart; pity, but there is an end.

“来徐徐”，志在下也；虽不当位，有与也。

Coming very slowly: his will is below. Though the place is not right, there is company.

劓刖，困于赤绂，乃徐有说，利用祭祀。

Nose and feet cut off, oppressed by the red knee-covers; then slowly there is release. It furthers to offer sacrifice.

“劓刖”，志未得也。“乃徐有说”，以中直也。“利用祭祀”，受福也。

Nose and feet cut off: the will is not yet attained. Then slowly there is release: centrality and straightness. It furthers to offer sacrifice: he receives blessing.

困于葛藟，于臲卼，曰动悔，有悔。征吉。

Oppressed by vines and creepers, on unsettled ground. He says, moving brings regret — there is regret. To go is auspicious.

“困于葛藟”，未当也；“动悔，有悔”，吉行也。

Oppressed by vines and creepers: not yet right. Moving brings regret, there is regret: to go is auspicious.