HEXAGRAM 21

Eradicating

噬嗑 shìkè

Gnawing Bite, Biting Through, Biting and Chewing

Deliberate obstacles and traitors require energetic biting through; combine clarity of mind with severity of conduct for justice.

Thunder and lightning. Define laws via clear penalties and execute them swiftly to instill social respect.

Changing Lines🔗

Line 1🔗

Feet fastened in stocks at the first attempt to do wrong; a mild penalty halts an evil path in time.

Line 2🔗

Biting through tender meat; the case is clear, but indignation blots out finer sensibility. The penalty remains just.

Line 3🔗

Biting on old dried meat arouses poisonous hatred and puts the unauthorized punisher in a humiliating position.

Line 4🔗

Biting on dried gristly meat requires being hard as metal and straight as an arrow to surmount arduous obstacles.

Line 5 ★🔗

Ruling line. Biting on lean meat; remain impartial like yellow gold and stay conscious of the dangers of responsibility.

Line 6🔗

Neck fastened in a wooden cangue; the incorrigible sinner is completely deaf to warnings, leading to misfortune.