The lines
Six at the beginning [yin at bottom] means:
At the tail in retreat. This is dangerous.
One must not wish to undertake anything.
Since the hexagram is the picture of something that is retreating, the lowest line represents the tail and the top line the head. In a retreat it is advantageous to be at the front. Here one is at the back, in immediate contact with the pursuing enemy. This is dangerous, and under such circumstances it is not advisable to undertake anything. Keeping still is the easiest way of escaping from the threatening danger.
Six in the second place means:
he holds him fast with yellow ox-hide.
No one can tear him loose.
Yellow is the colour of the middle. It indicates that which is correct and in line with duty. Ox-hide is strong and not to be torn.
While the superior men retreat and the inferior press after them, the inferior man represented here holds on so firmly and tightly to the superior man that the latter cannot shake him off. And because he is in quest of what is right an so strong in purpose, he reaches his goal. Thus the line confirms what is said in the Judgement:
\"In what is small\" - here equivalent to \"in the inferior man\" - \"perseverance furthers.\"
Nine in the third place means:
A halted retreat
Is nerve-wracking and dangerous.
To retain people as men - and maid servants
Brings good fortune.
When it is time to retreat it is both unpleasant and dangerous to be held back, because then one no longer has freedom of action. In such a case the only expedient is to take into one\'s service, so to speak, those who refuse to let one go, so that one may at least keep one\'s initiative and not fall helplessly under their domination. But even with this expedient the situation is far from satisfactory - for what can one hope to accomplish with such servants?
Nine in the fourth place means:
Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the superior man
And downfall to the inferior man.
In retreating the superior man is intent on taking his departure willingly and in all friendliness. He easily adjusts his mind to retreat, because in retreating he does not have to do violence to his convictions. The only one who suffers is the inferior man from whom he retreats, who will degenerate when deprived of the guidance of the superior man.