Hexagram 60: Limitation
Outer trigram (upper)
Khảm
Water · Water
Inner trigram (lower)
Đoài
Marsh · Metal
Judgment
節：亨，苦節不可貞.
Translation
Tiết (moderation, restraint): success. Moderation carried to the point of hardship cannot be maintained forever.
Commentary
Khảm above is water, Đoài below is a marsh. Water entering a marsh has its limit — this is moderation. Moderation brings success, but if pushed to harsh extremes it cannot be sustained for long. Moderation must stay reasonable.
Line Readings
Line 1 (yang)
初九：不出戶庭，无咎.
Translation
Not going out beyond the courtyard gate; no blame.
Commentary
Line 1, yang, at the bottom, knows to keep within its limits — not stepping past the courtyard gate — practicing restraint from the very start. No blame.
Line 2 (yang)
九二：不出門庭，凶.
Translation
Not going out even beyond the outer gate; inauspicious.
Commentary
Line 2, yang, holds the center, but its restraint goes too far — it will not even leave the gate — and it misses the moment for action. Inauspicious.
Line 3 (yin)
六三：不節若，則嗟若，无咎.
Translation
Without moderation, one is left sighing in regret; no blame.
Commentary
Line 3, yin, is neither centered nor correctly placed. Failing to hold to moderation, it is left to sigh over the consequences. But recognizing the fault and regretting it means no further blame.
Line 4 (yin)
六四：安節，亨.
Translation
Moderation practiced at ease; success.
Commentary
Line 4, yin, is in its correct position. It practices moderation naturally and without strain, and this brings success.
Line 5 (yang)
九五：甘節，吉，往有尚.
Translation
Moderation that feels sweet and pleasant is auspicious; advancing brings respect.
Commentary
Line 5, yang, centered and correct, holds the position of honor. Its moderation is reasonable and agreeable — sweet — so people follow it willingly. Auspicious, and it earns respect.
Line 6 (yin)
上六：苦節，貞凶，悔亡.
Translation
Moderation carried to bitter hardship — holding to correctness is inauspicious; regret disappears.
Commentary
Top line, yin, at the extreme. Its moderation has hardened into bitter restraint; even holding to correctness is inauspicious here, because it cannot be sustained. But recognizing the regret lets the regret dissolve.