What this hexagram is about
Water resting upon the earth, clinging without a gap — the image of union and holding together. It speaks of choosing the good and following it, of high and low supporting one another; attach yourself early and to the right person, for to waver and hold back is to miss your place.
The Judgment 卦辞
比，吉。原筮，元永贞，无咎。不宁方来，后夫凶。
Holding together brings good fortune. Divine once more whether you have origin, constancy, and perseverance; then there is no fault. The unsettled gradually come; whoever comes too late meets misfortune.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：地上有水，比；先王以建万国，亲诸侯。
Water lies over the earth, drawing close; so the ancient kings founded the many states and kept their princes near.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
比之初六，有他吉也。
Holding together at the outset — there is further good fortune to come.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Six at the top比之无首，凶。
To seek union yet with no one to lead it, coming too late and finding no place to belong — misfortune.
Nine in the fifth place显比，王用三驱，失前禽，邑人不诫，吉。
To hold together openly and honorably. As the king on the hunt drives the game from three sides only, leaving one side open and letting the beasts ahead escape; so too the townsfolk need feel no dread — good fortune.
Six in the fourth place外比之，贞吉。
To attach oneself outwardly to the wise and worthy, holding to what is right, brings good fortune.
Six in the third place比之匪人。
The one to whom you attach yourself is not the right person — a friendship ill-chosen.
Six in the second place比之自内，贞吉。
To hold together in inward sincerity, keeping to what is right, brings good fortune.
Initial Six有孚比之，无咎。有孚盈缶，终来有他，吉。
To unite in good faith brings no fault; when sincerity fills one to the brim, as a vessel filled to its rim, in time it draws others to attach themselves — good fortune.