䷠ 33. La Retirada

Judgment

Retreat. Success. In what is small, perseverance furthers.

Image

Mountain under heaven: the image of Retreat. The superior person keeps the inferior at a distance, not angrily but with reserve.

Interpretation

Hexagram 33 teaches the strategic wisdom of retreat. Withdrawal is not defeat but a conscious choice to preserve one's strength and integrity when conditions are unfavorable. Knowing when to step back is as important as knowing when to advance.