43. Breakthrough

Judgment

夬：扬于王庭，孚号，有厉，告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。

One must resolutely make the matter known at the court of the king. It must be announced truthfully. Danger. It is necessary to notify one's own city. It does not further to resort to arms. It furthers one to undertake something. Decisions should be public and procedural, not violent.

Image

泽上于天，夬；君子以施禄及下，居德则忌。

The lake has risen up to heaven: the image of breakthrough. The noble person dispenses riches downward and refrains from resting on their virtue.

Lines

1. Line 1, yang (nine)

   初九：壮于前趾，往不胜为咎。

   Mighty in the forward-striding toes. When one goes and is not equal to the task, one makes a mistake. An under-prepared decision fails.

2. Line 2, yang (nine)

   九二：惕号，莫夜有戎，勿恤。

   A cry of alarm. Arms at evening and at night. Fear nothing. With preparation, surprise attacks lose their power.

3. Line 3, yang (nine)

   九三：壮于頄，有凶。君子夬夬，独行遇雨，若濡有愠，无咎。

   To be powerful in the cheekbones brings misfortune. The noble person is firmly resolved. He walks alone and is caught in the rain. He is bespattered, and people murmur against him. No blame. Don't decide in emotion; accept being misunderstood.

4. Line 4, yang (nine)

   九四：臀无肤，其行次且。牵羊悔亡，闻言不信。

   There is no skin on his thighs, and walking comes hard. If a man were to let himself be led like a sheep, remorse would disappear. But if these words are heard they will not be believed. Hesitation and stubbornness together.

5. Line 5, yang (nine)

   九五：苋陆夬夬，中行无咎。

   In dealing with weeds, firm resolution is necessary. Walking in the middle remains free of blame. Decisive, not excessive.

6. Line 6, yin (six)

   上六：无号，终有凶。

   No cry. In the end misfortune comes. Without alertness and voice, the problem will erupt.

In the enterprise

The hexagram of decisiveness, removing problems and 'public procedure': removing executives, cleaning up misconduct, ending bad partnerships, announcing key decisions. Principle: make it known 'at the king's court'—transparent, procedural, consensual—and share benefits downward.

Psychological lens

Resonates with decision fatigue and emotional decision-making ('powerful in the cheekbones'); line 4 describes indecision and selective listening.

Related hexagrams

Situations in the library that use this hexagram

• Paying too much for a target Enterprise, Line 1, yang (nine)
• Decisions take too long Enterprise, Line 4, yang (nine)
• Cybersecurity and data breaches Enterprise, Line 2, yang (nine)
• Deciding on a product recall Enterprise, Judgment
• Raise prices or protect volume? Enterprise, Line 5, yang (nine)
• Write-downs and impairments Enterprise, Line 6, yin (six)
• Facing an activist investor Enterprise, Line 3, yang (nine)
• Reporting risk to the board Enterprise, Judgment
• Handling a whistleblower report Enterprise, Line 2, yang (nine)
• Managing anger Individuals, Line 3, yang (nine)
• Negotiating after an offer Individuals, Line 5, yang (nine)
• Being misunderstood Individuals, Line 3, yang (nine)

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