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.

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'.

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 place
Showing 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 place
A superior man of acknowledged merit. He will maintain his success to the end, and have good fortune.
'The superior man of acknowledged merit, and yet humble': the myriads of people will submit to him.
Six in the fourth place
Showing 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 place
Showing 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 six
Showing 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