What this hexagram is about
The waters of the lake risen up to Heaven, about to burst and fall — the image of resolute decision. In using strength to clear away the small-minded or a settled ill, be open and aboveboard and keep a wary dread; never lean on force and grow proud.
The Judgment 卦辞
夬，扬于王庭，孚号有厉。告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。
Proclaim it in the king's court. With sincerity, raise the alarm — there is danger. Announce it from one's own city; it is not favorable to take up arms; it is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：泽上于天，夬；君子以施禄及下，居德则忌。
The lake has risen to the heavens, ready to break; so the noble person extends his bounty to those below, and guards against resting on his virtue.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
不胜而往，咎也。
Going forward without the strength to prevail — this brings fault.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Nine at the top无号，终有凶。
No more need to raise the cry; in the end — the last dark line above, sure to be swept away — there is misfortune.
Nine in the fifth place苋陆夬夬，中行无咎。
To root out the small-minded, soft and brittle as purslane, one must be clean and decisive; hold to the central way, and there is no fault.
Six in the fourth place臀无肤，其行次且。牵羊悔亡，闻言不信。
The thighs hurt, the skin gone, the walk halting and slow. One ought to move with the others, led along like a sheep, and remorse would fade; but he will not hear good counsel, and stubbornly believes it not.
Nine in the third place壮于頄，有凶。君子夬夬，独行遇雨，若濡有愠，无咎。
Strength showing in the cheeks — the firm laid bare — there is misfortune. The noble person should break decisively with the small-minded; though, walking alone, he meets the rain and is drenched, and for a time is misjudged and harbors resentment, in the end there is no fault.
Nine in the second place惕号，莫夜有戎，勿恤。
Cry the alarm and keep strict watch; though armed men come in the night, there is no need to fear.
Initial Nine壮于前趾，往不胜为咎。
Strength in the forward toes — rushing ahead first; to go rashly and fail to win is to be at fault.