What this hexagram is about
Water above the fire, the cooking done — the image of the task accomplished. The hardship lies in holding what is won: once a thing is achieved, it is easiest to slacken and let disorder breed; one must foresee trouble and guard against it, and be as careful at the end as at the start, to keep the fruit of one's work.
The Judgment 卦辞
亨，小利贞，初吉终乱。
Success in the small; favorable to persevere. At first good fortune, at the end disorder.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：水在火上，既济；君子以思患而预防之。
Water rests above the fire, the work complete; so the noble person thinks of trouble and guards against it beforehand.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
曳其轮，义无咎也。
Dragging the wheels to slow the pace — by what is right, no fault.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Six at the top濡其首，厉。
To wet the head — completion carried to excess, indulgence that knows no stop — there is danger.
Nine in the fifth place东邻杀牛，不如西邻之禴祭，实受其福。
The eastern neighbor slaughters an ox in lavish sacrifice, yet it does not match the western neighbor's meager offering in truly drawing down the blessing of the spirits — sincerity prized over extravagance, the moment and the place being all.
Six in the fourth place繻有衣袽，终日戒。
The splendid robe will in the end turn to ragged tatters — plenty at its height already turning toward decline; one must stay on guard the day long and ward off trouble before it forms.
Nine in the third place高宗伐鬼方，三年克之，小人勿用。
Gao Zong of Yin campaigned against the Devil's Country and took years to subdue it — success hard-won, not to be lightly undertaken; in so great a matter the small-minded must not be employed.
Six in the second place妇丧其茀，勿逐，七日得。
A woman loses the curtain of her carriage — checked for a time, with no need to force it; do not give chase, and after some days it returns of itself.
Initial Nine曳其轮，濡其尾，无咎。
To drag at the wheels and wet the tail — at the outset of completion, advancing slowly and with care, not rushing ahead — there is no fault.