39. 蹇 Obstruction (Difficulty)

蹇：利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。

Jiǎn: Lì xī nán, bù lì dōng běi; lì jiàn dà rén, zhēn jí.

Favorable in the southwest; not favorable in the northeast. Favorable to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune.

蹇：利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。

初六：往蹇，來譽。

Chū liù: Wǎng jiǎn, lái yù.

First line: Going brings obstruction; coming back brings praise.

初六：往蹇，來譽。

六二：王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。

Liù èr: Wáng chén jiǎn jiǎn, fěi gōng zhī gù.

Second line: The king's servant meets obstruction upon obstruction, not for his own sake.

六二：王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。

九三：往蹇來反。

Jiǔ sān: Wǎng jiǎn lái fǎn.

Third line: Going brings obstruction, so he turns back.

九三：往蹇來反。

六四：往蹇來連。

Liù sì: Wǎng jiǎn lái lián.

Fourth line: Going brings obstruction; coming back brings allies.

六四：往蹇來連。

九五：大蹇朋來。

Jiǔ wǔ: Dà jiǎn péng lái.

Fifth line: In great obstruction, friends come.

九五：大蹇朋來。

上六：往蹇來碩，吉；利見大人。

Shàng liù: Wǎng jiǎn lái shuò, jí; lì jiàn dà rén.

Top line: Going brings obstruction; coming back brings greatness. Good fortune. Favorable to see the great man.

上六：往蹇來碩，吉；利見大人。