Kun (Oppression) · 困

Judgment (卦辞)

Oppression. Success. Perseverance. The great man brings about good fortune. No blame. When one speaks, one is not believed. Oppression means exhaustion and constraint — one is trapped but must maintain inner integrity. Words go unheard, but steadfastness eventually prevails.

困：亨，贞，大人吉，无咎，有言不信。

Image (象辞)

There is no water in the lake — the image of Oppression. Thus the superior man stakes his life on following his will. A dried-up lake shows external depletion; the wise person maintains inner commitment even when outward resources are gone.

泽无水，困；君子以致命遂志。

Modern Application

Kun-Oppression demands steadfastness through constraint — maintaining purpose despite exhaustion. Critical for perseverance under resource constraints, burnout recovery, and principled resistance.

困要求在约束中保持坚定——尽管疲惫仍坚持目标。对资源约束下的坚持、倦怠恢复和有原则的抵抗至关重要。