Hexagram 18 · Work on What Has Been Spoiled

Chinese text

元亨。利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。
蛊象征整饬积弊、刮骨疗毒。大通达，利于涉险攻坚。变革前要反复审视（先甲三日），变革后要追踪落实（后甲三日）。
初六 干父之蛊，有子，考无咎，厉终吉。
九二 干母之蛊，不可贞。
九三 干父之蛊，小有悔，无大咎。
六四 裕父之蛊，往见吝。
六五 干父之蛊，用誉。
上九 不事王侯，高尚其事。

English support translation

元亨。利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。
Repairing what has decayed leads to great success, and favors crossing the great river. Study the situation carefully for three days before beginning, and three days after.
Initial Six: Repairing the damage left by one's father — because there is a capable heir to do the work, the father's memory is spared blame. The task is risky, but it ends well.
Nine in the second: Repairing the damage left by one's mother calls for tact, not blunt insistence on being right.
Nine in the third: Repairing the father's damage with too heavy a hand brings some regret, but nothing seriously wrong.
Six in the fourth: Leaving the father's damage untouched, indulging it rather than fixing it — continuing on this path leads to regret.
Six in the fifth: Repairing the father's damage in a way that wins genuine praise.
Nine at the top: No longer serving lords or rulers, one devotes oneself instead to higher, more honorable pursuits.