#8
Bǐ · Holding Together
Upper ☵ 坎 Water · Lower ☷ 坤 Earth
Judgment 卦辞
吉。原筮元永贞，无咎。不宁方来，后夫凶。吉。原筮元永貞，无咎。不寧方來，後夫凶。
Pî indicates that (under the conditions which it supposes) there is good fortune. But let (the principal party intended in it) re-examine himself, (as if) by divination, whether his virtue be great, unintermitting, and firm. If it be so, there will be no error. Those who have not rest will then come to him; and with those who are (too) late in coming it will be ill.
Commentary on the Judgment 彖曰
比，吉也。比，辅也，下顺从也。原筮，元永贞，无咎，以刚中也。不宁方来，上下应也。后夫凶，其道穷也。比，吉也。比，輔也，下順從也。原筮，元永貞，无咎，以剛中也。不寧方來，上下應也。後夫凶，其道窮也。
Image 象曰
地上有水，比；先王以建万国，亲诸侯。地上有水，比；先王以建萬國，親諸侯。
上六上六
比之无首，凶。比之无首，凶。
In the topmost line, divided, we see one seeking union and attachment without having taken the first step (to such an end). There will be evil.
Line image 小象：比之无首，无所终也。比之无首，无所終也。
九五九五
显比。王用三，失前禽，邑人不诫，吉。顯比。王用三，失前禽，邑人不誡，吉。
The fifth line, undivided, affords the most illustrious instance of seeking union and attachment. (We seem to see in it) the king urging his pursuit of the game (only) in three directions, and allowing the escape of all the animals before him, while the people of his towns do not warn one another (to prevent it). There will be good fortune.
Line image 小象：显比之吉，位正中也。舍逆取顺，失前禽也。邑人不诫，上使中也。顯比之吉，位正中也。舍逆取順，失前禽也。邑人不誡，上使中也。
六四六四
外比之，贞吉。外比之，貞吉。
In the fourth line, divided, we see its subject seeking for union with the one beyond himself. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
Line image 小象：外比于贤，以从上也。外比於賢，以從上也。
六三六三
比之匪人。比之匪人。
In the third line, divided, we see its subject seeking for union with such as ought not to be associated with.
Line image 小象：比之匪人，不亦伤乎！比之匪人，不亦傷乎！
六二六二
比之自内，贞吉。比之自內，貞吉。
In the second line, divided, we see the movement towards union and attachment proceeding from the inward (mind). With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
Line image 小象：比之自内，不自失也。比之自內，不自失也。
初六初六
有孚，比之，无咎。有孚盈缶，终来有它，吉。有孚，比之，无咎。有孚盈缶，終來有它，吉。
The first line, divided, shows its subject seeking by his sincerity to win the attachment of his object. There will be no error. Let (the breast) be full of sincerity as an earthenware vessel is of its contents, and it will in the end bring other advantages.
Line image 小象：比之初六，有它吉也。比之初六，有它吉也。
Legge's translation of this commentary isn't included yet. The original Chinese is shown.