Yi 52: trouble avoided because i heed this morning's warning

 A Jonas moment. Thank God he didn't look up and see me. But it's the Red Flag Alert I needed. 

Other titles: The Symbol of Stepping Carefully, Cautious Treading, Proceeding Cautiously, Watch Your Step, Proceed at Your Own Risk

Line-5

Legge: The fifth line, dynamic, shows the resolute tread of its subject. Though he be firm and correct, there will be peril.

Wilhelm/Baynes: Resolute conduct. Perseverance with awareness of danger.

Blofeld: He treads delicately. Persistence could lead to trouble.

Liu: Continue in a decisive manner. Danger. [There is now a tendency to rush and be careless. By all means stop this, or troubles will mount and disaster will come.]

Shaughnessy: Resolute treading; determination is dangerous.

Cleary: Treading decisively. Even if one is upright, there is danger. [It is necessary to be upright and undivided, to master oneself in danger, so that one can avoid the problem of losing what has been gained. This is treading the Path in which there is no one but oneself.]

Wu: He decides on treading. Despite perseverance, he is in a difficult situation. [Use your power wisely and judiciously, or you will fall.]

 

NOTES AND PARAPHRASES

Siu: Peril is evident, as when treading on the tail of a tiger. But the man remains aware and resolute, acting with propriety and humility.

Wing: What you propose to do is dangerous, yet your awareness of such danger will give you the strength to succeed. 

DeKorne: Line five is mentioned in the Confucian commentary for the hexagram as occupying the "God-given position." Nevertheless, despite his will and intelligence, he faces a volatile situation which will demand all of his resources if he is to succeed. Ritsema/Karcher render "adversity," (LI) as: Danger, threatening, malevolent demon ... It indicates a spirit or ghost that seeks revenge by inflicting suffering upon the living. Pacifying or exorcizing such a spirit can have a healing effect.

A. Walking a razor's edge -- maintain vigilance over your choices and be aware of their consequences. The image suggests willpower in the face of potentially disruptive forces.