見險而能止，反身修德
Judgment and its commentary
先讀經文，再讀《彖傳》如何解釋卦辭。Read the received text first, then its Tuan commentary.
蹇：利西南，不利東北。利見大人，貞吉。
蹇卦——利於往西南（順位），不利往東北（險位）。利於見大人物（賢者），守正則吉。處險之時須擇路。
In (the state indicated by) Jian advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous (also) to meet with the great man. (In these circumstances), with firmness and correctness, there will be good fortune.
蹇，難也，險在前也。見險而能止，知矣哉！蹇利西南，往得中也；不利東北，其道窮也。利見大人，往有功也。當位貞吉，以正邦也。蹇之時用大矣哉！
蹇即難，險阻在前。見險而能停止，是真智慧！蹇利西南，是因為往那裡得中道；不利東北，是因為其道已窮。利見大人，因往則有功。當位守正則吉，是正其邦國。蹇之時的作用真大啊！
Jian denotes difficulty. There is peril in front. To see the peril, and know to stop in view of it — is not this wisdom?
Great Image Commentary
上下卦取象 → 全卦成象 → 人事取法Trigrams → whole image → conduct
山上有水，蹇
(The trigram representing) a mountain, and above it that for water, form Jian.
君子以反身修德。
The superior man, in accordance with this, turns round (and examines) himself, and cultivates his virtue.
山上有水（險阻）——蹇之象。君子由此體會：在阻塞之時要反求諸身、修養德性。
本站導讀，不屬《大象傳》原文；用來預覽本卦六爻由初至上的意象變化。An editorial preview of the six line images, not part of the Great Image Commentary.
往蹇來譽。
前往則蹇阻，回來則得讚譽。剛起步即知險而退，是智。
From the first SIX we learn that advance (on the part of its subject) will lead to (greater) difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise.
往蹇來譽，宜待也。
往則蹇來則譽，是宜於等待。
王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
君王之臣不畏蹇難——並非為自身（而為國事）。為公之蹇，不為私而退。
The second SIX shows the minister of the king struggling with difficulty on difficulty, and not with a view to his own advantage.
王臣蹇蹇，終無尤也。
王臣之蹇，最終無尤。
往蹇來反。
前往則蹇阻，回來反而得位。剛中有道，及時返回。
The third NINE shows its subject advancing, (but only to greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns (to his former associates).
往蹇來反，內喜之也。
往蹇來反，內部喜悅之。
往蹇來連。
前往則蹇阻，回來與下方相連。柔得位、能聯絡同志。
The fourth SIX shows its subject advancing, (but only to greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and unites (with the subject of the line above).
往蹇來連，當位實也。
往蹇來連，是位置適當有實。
大蹇朋來。
處於大蹇之中——朋友來了。剛中之主，群陰歸之。
The fifth NINE shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him.
大蹇朋來，以中節也。
大蹇有朋來，因中正有節。
往蹇來碩，吉。利見大人。
前往則蹇阻，回來則大有所獲——吉。利於見大人物。蹇之終須回。
The topmost SIX shows its subject advancing, (but only to greater) difficulties, while remaining stationary will lead to great (merit). There will be good fortune, and it will be advantageous to meet with the great man.
往蹇來碩，志在內也。利見大人，以從貴也。
往蹇來碩，志在內部。利見大人，是順從尊貴。
Difficulty, blockage. Originally a lame or limping gait — movement impeded, not impossible.
The southwest — Kun's position in the post-heaven trigram map: yielding, open ground.
The northeast — Gen's position in the post-heaven trigram map: steep, obstructed ground.
'Not for his own person' — acting for the public cause, not private advantage.
To turn back, return. In this hexagram the wise move, not a defeat.
To connect, join up with — turning back in order to link with allies.
Great, abundant — the large gain that comes from returning rather than pushing on.
