21 · Shi He · Biting Through
Biting Through. Success. It is favorable to let justice be administered. The Commentary on the Decision says: When there is something between the jaws, it is called Biting Through. Biting through brings success. The firm and the yielding are divided; movement joins with clarity; thunder and lightning unite and reveal their brilliance. The yielding attains the central place and moves upward. Though it does not stand in its proper position, it is favorable to administer justice.
The Tuan commentary on Shi He explains it as "something within the mouth," while the Xiang commentary explains it as "thunder and lightning together.
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48 · Jing · The Well
The Well. The town may be changed, but the well cannot be changed. It neither decreases nor increases. Men come and go and draw from the well. If the rope does not reach all the way down, or if the jug is broken before it is drawn up, there is misfortune. The Commentary on the Decision says: One enters into the water and brings the water up: thus is the Well. The well nourishes and is not exhausted. "The town may be changed, but the well cannot be changed," for it is firm and central.
A well is constituted as a well by what lies beneath; yet a well is able to nourish the people only by what lies above.
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