 | Modesty | |
| Upper Trigram: | K'un, Passive Principle, Earth | |
| Lower Trigram: | Ken, Inaction, a Mountain | |
| Governing Ruler: | Nine in the third place | |
The Image
The trigram for the earth, and that of a mountain in the midst of it; these form Ch'ien. The superior man, in accordance with this, diminishes what is excessive in himself, and increases where there is any deficiency, bringing about an equality - according to the nature of the case - in his treatment of himself and others.
Miscellaneous Signs
Ch'ien, forsaking itself, accomplishes ease. Yü, forsaking others, accomplishes obtuseness.
The Judgement
Ch'ien indicates progress and success. The superior man, being humble as it implies, will have a good issue to his undertakings.
Appended Judgement
Ch'ien shows us the handle of virtue in its giving honour to others, and the distinction thence arising. Ch'ien appears in the regulation of ceremonies.
See also: Ta Chuan - Section 2, Chapter VII-2,3,4.
Commentary
Ch'ien indicates progress and success. It is the way of heaven to send down its beneficial influences below, where they are brilliantly displayed. It is the way of the earth, lying low, to send its influences upward, and there to act. It is the way of heaven to diminish the full and to augment the humble. It is the way of the earth to overthrow the full and replenish the humble.
Spiritual Beings inflict calamity on the full and bless the humble. It is the way of men to hate the full and love the humble. Modesty in a position of honour makes that more brilliant still; and in a low position men will not seek to pass beyond it. Thus it is that 'the superior man will have a good issue to his undertakings'.
Ch'ien indicates progress and success. It is the way of heaven to send down its beneficial influences below, where they are brilliantly displayed. It is the way of the earth, lying low, to send its influences upward, and there to act. It is the way of heaven to diminish the full and to augment the humble. It is the way of the earth to overthrow the full and replenish the humble.
Spiritual Beings inflict calamity on the full and bless the humble. It is the way of men to hate the full and love the humble. Modesty in a position of honour makes that more brilliant still; and in a low position men will not seek to pass beyond it. Thus it is that 'the superior man will have a good issue to his undertakings'.
The Lines and commentaries
Bottom six
Showing the superior man adding modesty to modesty. Even the great stream may be crossed with this, and there will be good fortune.
'The superior man adding modesty to modesty', is one who nourishes his virtue in lowliness.
Six in the second placeShowing modesty making itself recognized. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
The 'good fortune consequent on being firm and correct, where modesty makes itself recognized', is owing to the possessor's having the virtue in the core of his heart.
Nine in the third placeA superior man of acknowledged merit. He will maintain his success to the end, and have good fortune.
See also: Ta Chuan - Section 1, Chapter VIII-8.
'The superior man of acknowledged merit, and yet humble': the myriads of people will submit to him.
Six in the fourth placeShowing one whose action would be in every way advantageous, activating the more his modesty.
'One whose action would be in every way advantageous, activating the more his modesty': he does not act contrary to the rule.
Six in the fifth placeShowing one who, without being rich, is able to employ his neighbours. He may advantageously use the force of arms. All his movements will be advantageous.
'He may advantageously use the force of arms': correcting those who do not submit.
Top-most sixShowing modesty that has made itself recognized. Its subject will with advantage put his armies in motion; but he will only punish his own towns and state.
'His modesty has made itself recognized'; but all his aims have not yet been attained: he may employ the force of arms, but 'only in correcting his own towns and state'.
 1. Ch'ien Creative Principle |  2. K'un Passive Principle |  3. Chun Initial Difficulties |  4. Meng Youthful Inexperience |  5. Hsü Delay |  6. Sung Conflict |  7. Shih The Army |  8. Pi Seeking Unity |  9. Hsiao Ch'u Minor Restraint |  10. Lü Treading carefully |  11. T'ai Peace |  12. P'i Stagnation |  13. T'ung Jen Companionship |  14. Ta Yu Great Possessions | 15. Ch'ien Modesty |  16. Yü Enthusiasm |  17. Sui Allegiance |  18. Ku Arresting Decay |  19. Lin Approaching |  20. Kuan Contemplation |  21. Shih Ho Biting through |  22. Pi Grace |  23. Po Disintegration |  24. Fu The Turning Point |  25. Wu Wang Innocence |  26. Ta Ch'u Restraining Force |  27. I Nourishment |  28. Ta Kuo Excess |  29. K'an The Abyss |  30. Li Clinging Brightness |  31. Hsieh Influence |  32. Heng Endurance |  33. Tun Withdrawal |  34. Ta Chuang Strength of Greatness |  35. Chin Progress |  36. Ming I Sinking Light |  37. Chia Jen The Family |  38. K'uei Opposition |  39. Chien Obstacles |  40. Hsieh Deliverance |  41. Sun Decrease |  42. I Increase |  43. Kuai Resolution |  44. Kou Coming on |  45. Ts'ui Congregation |  46. Sheng Moving upward |  47. K'un Exhaustion |  48. Ching The Well |  49. Ko Revolution |  50. Ting The Cauldron |  51. Chen Thunderclap |  52. Ken Inaction |  53. Chien Gradual Progress |  54. Kuei Mei Marriageable Maiden |  55. Feng Abundance |  56. Lü The Wanderer |  57. Sun Gentle Penetration |  58. Tui Joy |  59. Huan Dispersal |  60. Chien Restraint |  61. Cung Fu Inner Truth |  62. Hsiao Kuo Small Excess |  63. Chi Chi Completion and After |  64. Wei Chi Before Completion |