Hexagram 40, Line 5

The Line Text

Interpretation

This line, occupying the powerful and central fifth position, represents the ideal way to achieve deliverance. It is the position of the ruler or leader. The deliverance described here is not won through a struggle with external forces, but through an internal act of release. The "noble person" (君子) does not fight or try to defeat the "small-minded people" (小人). Instead, they achieve freedom by severing the inner ties that bind them to such negative influences. This could mean letting go of a grudge, releasing a limiting belief, or detaching from a toxic relationship. The focus is entirely on self-liberation and rising above the situation. When the noble person successfully unties these knots within themselves, an important transformation occurs: the small-minded people, or negative circumstances, simply lose their power and "retreat." They have nothing left to cling to. This act of profound integrity and self-mastery is inherently auspicious (吉) and has the surprising effect of earning the trust and respect (有孚) of even those who were once obstacles. True authority comes from inner freedom, not outer domination.

Guidance for Action

Your current challenge requires you to look inward for the solution. Do not engage in direct conflict or try to "fix" or "defeat" those who are causing problems. The most powerful action you can take is to release your own attachment to the situation. Identify the inner knots: Are you holding onto anger, resentment, fear, or a sense of victimhood? Are you entangled in petty drama? The path to freedom lies in consciously letting these things go. Focus on your own integrity, principles, and well-being. By rising above the fray and detaching emotionally, you neutralize the power that negative people or circumstances have over you. Act with unimpeachable character, and you will find that the obstacles simply fall away on their own. Your strength lies not in fighting, but in freeing yourself.

For Love & Relationships

In relationships, this line points to the need to free yourself from negative emotional patterns or entanglements. The "small-minded people" could represent an unhealthy attachment to a past lover, the influence of jealous friends, or your own insecurities that are poisoning a connection. The solution is not to blame your partner or confront the external influence directly, but to work on your own inner freedom. Release old hurts and fears. By demonstrating self-respect and emotional independence, you create a healthy space in your relationship. If you are single, this line advises you to release any desperation or attachment to the idea of finding a partner, as this energy repels healthy connections. Focus on becoming whole and complete on your own. This authentic self-possession is profoundly attractive and will cause lesser, unsuitable connections to naturally "retreat."

For Career & Business

You are in a position of influence, or you have the potential to be. The key to navigating workplace challenges now is not to engage in office politics or power struggles. The "small-minded people" are the petty colleagues, the gossip, or the bureaucratic obstacles. Wasting energy fighting them is a trap. Your path to success (deliverance) is to rise above it all. Focus entirely on the quality of your own work, your professional ethics, and your strategic vision. Lead by example. By detaching from the drama and demonstrating superior competence and integrity, you render the petty conflicts irrelevant. Your authority will grow, and even those who might have undermined you will be forced to respect your position and will cease to be a problem. Your deliverance comes from being unimpeachably excellent.

For Financial Matters

This line indicates that financial freedom comes from releasing yourself from negative financial entanglements and mindsets. The "small-minded people" could be individuals giving you bad advice, friends pressuring you for irresponsible loans, or your own inner habits of fear-based hoarding or impulsive spending. The deliverance is not about chasing a windfall but about establishing sovereignty over your own financial life. Cut ties with negative financial influences. More importantly, release your own limiting beliefs about money—your "scarcity mindset" or "get-rich-quick" fantasies. Create a clear, principled budget or financial plan and stick to it with discipline. This act of self-mastery is the deliverance. By managing your resources with integrity and wisdom, you will achieve stability and good fortune, and financial anxieties will "retreat."