40. Deliverance (解)

She (to shoot) is pronounced as shi and yi in reverse [shè]. Sun (falcon) is pronounced as xun and yin in reverse [sǔn].

Fully explained in the Appended Phrases.

Xie (Deliverance) is pronounced as jia and mai in reverse [xiè].

Top Six is in an elevated, honored ground, yet it is not the ruler's position; hence it is called 'prince' (gong), speaking merely from the culmination of Deliverance. The falcon is a fierce and harmful creature, symbolizing a petty person who works harm.

The wall marks the boundary between inside and outside. If the harm were inside, that would be a time before deliverance; if it had gone outside the wall, then there would be no harm, so what would be left to deliver?

Thus it is perched atop the wall—separated from the inside, yet not having departed. Saying that it is 'high' shows that the preventive boundary is strict, yet it has not departed because this is the extreme of deliverance.

At the culmination of Deliverance, that which alone remains undelivered must be a stubborn and formidable harm. Top Six occupies the culmination of Deliverance; the way of deliverance has arrived and the instrument is perfected; hence one can shoot and capture it.

Once it is captured, the perils of the world are completely delivered—what would not be advantageous? The Master further expanded its meaning in the Appended Phrases, saying: 'The falcon is a bird; the bow and arrow are instruments; he who shoots is a man.

The noble person keeps his instrument concealed about his person and acts when the time is right—what would not be advantageous? He acts without hindrance; thus he goes forth and captures. This speaks of one who acts only after the instrument is perfected.'

If a fierce and harmful creature is atop the wall, but one lacks the instrument and does not await the proper time before shooting, how could one capture it?

The means to deliver it is the instrument; when the situation ought to be delivered and the way of deliverance has arrived, that is the proper time. Acting in this manner, there is no snag or entanglement; shooting forth, nothing is not advantageous.

'Entanglement' means blockage. The Sage here illuminates the principle of concealing the instrument and awaiting the proper time.

In managing oneself or the affairs of the world, if one lacks the instrument and does not act according to the time, minor attempts bring obstruction, and major attempts bring ruin and defeat.

Throughout history, those who were eager to take action but achieved no success or suffered overthrow have all failed because of this.

Reaching the end of Deliverance, that which still remains undelivered is the greatest of rebellious disorders. Shooting it is the means to deliver it. Once delivered, the world is at peace.

The initial line corresponds to the fourth; the second corresponds to the fifth.

Six in the Third Place does not correspond to the top; having lost its proper place, it carries a burden on its back while riding in a carriage, situated atop the lower trigram—hence it is called a 'high wall.'

A wall is not where a falcon should dwell; height is not what the third should tread. Top Six dwells at the apex of movement and represents the culmination of Deliverance, about to disperse recklessness and eradicate filth and disorder. Therefore it shoots it.

Moving only after reaching the culmination, acting only after preparation is complete, it is bound to 'capture it,' and 'nothing will not be advantageous.'

'Top Six' through 'nothing will not be advantageous.'

The Sub-commentary states: The falcon is a greedy and ferocious bird, of the hawk and harrier kind. A wall (yong) is an enclosure.

Six in the Third Place has lost its position, carries a burden while riding, and does not correspond to the top; it is a guilty transgressor, hence compared to a perched bird.

Here a flying bird is used as a metaphor; occupying the top of the lower trigram, it is like a falcon perched on a high wall. As a bird, the falcon properly belongs in mountains and forests; perching on a human dwelling's 'high wall,' it will surely be shot down with an arrow.

This symbolizes that Six in the Third Place, dwelling in a high position, will surely be chastised and eliminated.

Top Six resides at the apex of movement, representing the culmination of Deliverance; about to disperse wild rebelliousness and eradicate filthy disorder, it therefore shoots it.

'Moving only after reaching the culmination, acting only after preparation is complete, it is bound to capture it, and nothing will not be advantageous'; hence it says, 'The prince uses it to shoot a falcon upon a high wall; he captures it, and nothing will not be advantageous.'

A prince dwells at the pinnacle of ministerial rank. Top Six occupies the top with a yin line, hence it is called 'prince.'

The Sub-commentary states: Regarding 'To deliver rebellion': 'Rebellion' (bei) means defiance. Six in the Third Place has lost its position, carries a burden while riding, and does not correspond to the top; it is a rebellious person.

Top Six dwells at the apex of movement and can eradicate and deliver the wild rebellion of Six in the Third Place; hence it says, 'In order to deliver rebellion.'

Top Six, sixth line, Upper-Middle: An arrow shoots along the blue-cloud path; what one pursues is accomplished in days. Many idle, chattering tongues turn instead into sounds of laughter and song.