What this hexagram is about
Water above the lake, its holding and releasing kept to measure — the image of limitation. In all things keep within bounds and stop at the fitting point: limitation rightly set lets things flow, but limitation made bitter cannot last; rule and virtue alike must keep their measure.
The Judgment 卦辞
节，亨。苦节不可贞。
Success. But bitter limitation must not be persevered in.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：泽上有水，节；君子以制数度，议德行。
Water above the lake, held in bounds; so the noble person sets measures and standards, and weighs virtue and conduct.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
不出户庭，知通塞也。
Not stepping beyond the courtyard gate — knowing when the way is open or closed.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Six at the top苦节，贞凶，悔亡。
To carry limitation to a bitter, harsh extreme; to keep to this brings misfortune — yet if one can stop at the fitting point, remorse too will fade away.
Nine in the fifth place甘节，吉，往有尚。
To find limitation sweet and to delight in keeping to it — good fortune; to go forward wins esteem.
Six in the fourth place安节，亨。
To practice limitation calmly and contentedly — keeping to measure with ease, in accord with what is natural — success.
Nine in the third place不节若，则嗟若，无咎。
Unable to keep oneself within bounds, one is left only to sighs and regret; yet to reproach and examine oneself counts as no fault.
Nine in the second place不出门庭，凶。
When the moment to go out and act has come, yet one stays shut behind the door — failing to move when one ought, and so missing the time — misfortune.
Initial Six不出户庭，无咎。
Not to step beyond the gate of the courtyard — keeping to one's bounds, knowing when the way is open or closed, and able to halt — there is no fault.