The ninth day of the lunar month: Stronger than the front toe, invincible, and to blame.
The original meaning of the word "toe" is the standing foot. In ancient Chinese, it can also be translated as "site", which can be understood as the foundation of a building. Whether it is "toe" or "site", it can be understood as the foundation of people or things in an anthropomorphic way. "Stronger than the front toes" is indeed a bit confusing if you only take it literally as meaning strong toes. However, if we interpret it in conjunction with the main theme of this hexagram "夬", it is not difficult to discover its true connotation.
breaks away from hostile countries , and the areas bordering it are of great importance in terms of strategic status and political significance. It is very necessary to strengthen the defense capabilities of these areas. Therefore, "strengthening the front toe" means planning to break with hostile countries, and the defense work in areas bordering them must be strengthened. Moreover, the effectiveness of defense work must be the result of advance planning. You cannot break with others tomorrow and only think about strengthening defense today.
"If you cannot win, you are to blame" can be said to be a further explanation of why it is necessary to "be stronger than the front toe". Declaring a break with another country, even if you do not take the initiative to launch an attack, you must be prepared to deal with possible infringements by the other party, and you must be sure of victory in this case. What will happen if you don't prepare in advance and don't "strengthen your front toes", and you provoke the opponent at the top of your voice, and you are defeated in the end. "夤" is your own decision, but in turn, you are beaten to death by the opponent, and you use "for". "Guilty" is a light word to describe, and even feels like a clown. I can't help but think of Napoleon III during the Franco-Prussian War. Without any preparation, he rashly launched a war with Prussia. As a result, he was beaten black and blue, and he became a prisoner of the Prussians.
