33. Retreat

Judgment

遁：亨，小利贞。

Success. In what is small, perseverance furthers. Retreat itself can be a path to success.

Image

天下有山，遁；君子以远小人，不恶而严。

Mountain under heaven: the image of retreat. The noble person keeps the inferior at a distance, not angrily but with reserve.

Lines

1. Line 1, yin (six)

   初六：遁尾，厉，勿用有攸往。

   At the tail in retreat. This is dangerous. One must not wish to undertake anything. Retreating too late is the greatest danger.

2. Line 2, yin (six)

   六二：执之用黄牛之革，莫之胜说。

   He holds him fast with yellow oxhide; no one can tear him loose. Keep core commitments and relationships while withdrawing.

3. Line 3, yang (nine)

   九三：系遁，有疾厉，畜臣妾吉。

   A halted retreat is nerve-wracking and dangerous. To retain people as servants brings good fortune. Bound by emotion or sunk cost—first settle those around you.

4. Line 4, yang (nine)

   九四：好遁，君子吉，小人否。

   Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the noble person and downfall to the inferior. The mature know when to let go.

5. Line 5, yang (nine)

   九五：嘉遁，贞吉。

   Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune. A well-timed, graceful exit.

6. Line 6, yang (nine)

   上九：肥遁，无不利。

   Cheerful retreat. Everything furthers. Complete detachment brings freedom.

In the enterprise

The hexagram of strategic withdrawal, exit and loss-cutting: leaving markets, divestment, stopping projects, board exits, career transitions. Retreat is not failure but a deliberate choice to preserve strength; the best exit comes before it is forced.

Psychological lens

Resonates with the sunk-cost fallacy and loss aversion (Kahneman & Tversky); the 'halted retreat' describes how emotional attachment blocks rational exits.

Related hexagrams

Situations in the library that use this hexagram

• Divesting a non-core business Enterprise, Line 5, yang (nine)
• Exit under geopolitical risk? Enterprise, Line 1, yin (six)
• Defending against a hostile bid Enterprise, Line 2, yin (six)
• When to kill an innovation project Enterprise, Line 4, yang (nine)
• Staying neutral amid geopolitics Enterprise, Judgment
• A founder who won't let go Enterprise, Line 3, yang (nine)
• Selling the family business Enterprise, Line 6, yang (nine)
• Distance from friends after becoming the boss Individuals, Judgment
• Preparing mentally for retirement Individuals, Line 6, yang (nine)
• Letting go of adult children Individuals, Line 5, yang (nine)
• Protecting yourself in conflict Individuals, Judgment
• Selling a home full of memories Individuals, Line 3, yang (nine)
• A partner wants to exit Individuals, Line 4, yang (nine)

Situation readings are a reflective framework for discussion—not predictions and not a substitute for professional advice.