The wisdom of I Ching

Chapter 19 No.15 Hexagram Qian

virtue of modesty

wisdom
Up and Down
Modesty, prosperity, a gentleman has an end.

"Xu Gua Zhuan" said: "If you are big, you can't be full, so you should be humble." That is to say, people with great achievements should not be complacent, but must be humble.

"Modest" is a humble attitude towards one's own talents and achievements without conceit.In this hexagram, the inner hexagram "Gen" symbolizes mountains and stops; the outer hexagram "Kun" symbolizes smoothness and earth; the inner hexagram knows restraint, and the outer appearance is docile, which is a humble attitude.In this hexagram, the mountain of "Gen" is under the ground of "Kun". Originally, the mountain is high and the ground is low, but the high mountain lowers itself to the bottom of the ground, which is also an image of modesty.So it is said: Modesty can lead to success. It may not be smooth at the beginning, but because of humility, you will definitely get support and you will succeed in the end.

"Xiang" says: modesty "prosperity", the way of heaven is bright and bright, and the way of tunnel is simple and upward.The way of heaven is full of profit and modest, the tunnel becomes full and full of flow, ghosts and gods are harmful and full of blessings, and human nature is evil and full of love and modesty.Being humble and honorable, humble and insurmountable, is the "end" of a "gentleman".

Unobtrusive and unobstructed.Because the law of heaven is that yang energy descends to save all things, and the light shines all over the world; the law of earth is that yin energy rises to communicate with yin and yang, so it prospers.The law of heaven makes fullness lose and modesty increases; the law of earth changes fullness and makes it flow into humility; the law of ghosts and gods harms fullness and reduces modesty; the law of man hates fullness and likes modesty.Modesty is respected, radiates brilliance, and does not violate principles when humble; therefore, a gentleman can have a beginning and an end.

The interpretation of the hexagram of modesty in "Xiang Zhuan" is particularly high-style, which shows how Confucianism respects modesty, and Laozi's morality can also be said to be specifically used to explain modesty.The universal love of the Mohists also comes from this humble spirit.

"Xiang" said: "There are mountains in the earth, be humble; a gentleman uses the many to benefit the few, and it is said that things are given equally." "裒" is the same as 掊, which means to reduce.The hexagram image of this hexagram is that in the land of the upper hexagram "Kun", there is the mountain of the lower hexagram "Gen"; the humbleness contains nobility, which symbolizes modesty.A gentleman should imitate this spirit, reduce the excess, increase the deficiency, measure the amount of things, and make them equal.The sixth day of the lunar month: Gentleman of modesty, use She Dachuan, auspicious.

"Xiang" says: "A gentleman who is humble" means he is humble enough to shepherd himself. "Humble" means humble and more humble. The yin line of the "sixth day" is submissive and willing to be the lowest. This is the attitude that a gentleman should have.With this attitude, it will be auspicious even if you take risks like crossing a big river on foot. "Xiang Zhuan" said: Modesty and humility, it is a gentleman who cultivates his self-cultivation with a humble attitude.

The focus of this line is on the word "use", emphasizing that modesty is not a passive retreat, but a positive contribution.

Sixty-two: Mingqian, Zhenji.

"Xiang" said: "Ming Qian Zhenji", the center is also obtained.

The yin position of "six two" is in the middle of the next hexagram, so it is soft and upright; it symbolizes the virtue of modesty, which is hidden in the heart and not shown on the outside. "Mingqian" means that humility gets resonance, so it is pure and auspicious. "Xiang Zhuan" said: This is due to the understanding of the virtue of modesty in my heart.

This line shows that the motivation must be pure and resonate to be humble.Ninth Three: A gentleman who works modestly and modestly will have a final auspicious end.

"Xiang" said: "Laoqian gentleman" is also accepted by all people. "Jiu San" is the only Yang line of this hexagram, and it is at the top of the next hexagram, which is equivalent to a person with great responsibility. "Nine Three" Yang Yao is resolute, and Yang Yao's Yang position is correct; therefore, the upper and lower five Yin Yaos are all trusted to take him as the center of gravity. "Laoqian" means hard work and humility; such a gentleman will surely be auspicious in the end, and can make all people return to their hearts. "Xi Ci Zhuan" explains this line: "Work hard without boasting, meritorious but not complacent, honest and honest to the extreme. This refers to a character who has merit and is humble to others." It is indeed rare.

This line shows that humility must have substance, but being proud but not proud is the real humility.

June [-]th: no disadvantages and humility.

"Xiang" said: "There is no disadvantage and modesty", and there is no violation. "撝" means to wield, to exert. "June [-]th" yin line is soft, the yin line is upright, and it is in the lowest position of the upper hexagram, which symbolizes humility; therefore, divination will not be disadvantageous.However, the status of "June [-]th" is higher than that of "[-]rd", and it is not as strong and upright. However, due to the virtue of humility, there will be no disadvantages.

"Xiang Zhuan" said: This is not against the principle.This line shows the effectiveness of modesty, which is always beneficial.Sixth Five-Year: If you are not rich, your neighbors are not disadvantaged by using invasion and logging.

"Xiang" said: "Using invasion and cutting", conquering is not submissive. "Yi" means with. The "six five" yin line is submissive and modest; it is in the supreme position of the "five".It symbolizes convincing people with virtue.It's as if he is not rich, but because of his modesty, he is loved by his neighbors.For such a humble ruler, it must be a last resort to use troops to conquer; therefore, it will not be disadvantageous. "Xiang Zhuan" said: The use of soldiers is to subjugate those who refuse to obey, and you cannot use virtue to make them obey. You have to use force as a last resort.

This line shows the essence of humility, which is to convince people with virtue, but also has a fortitude.

Upper Six: Mingqian, use Xingshi to conquer the country.

"Xiang" said: "Ming Qian", the ambition has not been achieved.It can be "used as a teacher" to "conquer the country". "Yupuo" is a private territory. "Shangliu" is the pinnacle of the hexagram of modesty. The reputation of modesty has spread far and wide, and it has won the sympathy and love of the four quarters. Under this situation, it is of course conducive to using troops to fight.However, the Yin line of "Shangliu" is weak, and because the superior has no position and his status is not clear, he has no power to conquer other countries, so he can only fight against rebellion within his own territory.

"Xiang Zhuan" explains that one has neither strength nor status, and despite a modest reputation, one still cannot achieve one's ambitions. Therefore, the use of troops to fight can only be limited to one's own territory.

Zhu Zi's disciples wondered why the "sixth five" and "upper six" of the hexagram of Qian have the saying that war is affirmative?Zhu Zi replied: Humility is also the pinnacle of the art of war. This is to retreat as an advance, leading to victory. "Lao Tzu" says, "When a big country humbles a small country, it can gain the obedience of the small country; if a small country humbles the big country, it can win the tolerance of the big country." In "Grandson", "Being like a virgin at the beginning, the enemy opens an account, and later like a rabbit, the enemy is too late to refuse."They all illustrate the application of humility in political strategy and strategy.

This line brings the effect of modesty into play in the application of political strategy and strategy.However, it also emphasizes that humility must be backed by strength in order to be positive.

Among the 64 hexagrams in the "Book of Changes", not all of them are auspicious or inauspicious, only the hexagram of modesty, and the six lines are all auspicious; it can be seen that since ancient times, the virtue of modesty has been valued.Modesty is not a passive retreat, but a positive contribution.Only with equality can there be true peace.The motivation of modesty must be pure in order to win sympathy and love.

The attitude of only seeking to cultivate, not to ask for harvest, can exert a humble spirit while being in a superior position.To be proud but not arrogant, to be able to convince others with virtue, is to be called modest.Moreover, modesty must have substance, otherwise it becomes hypocrisy.Modesty must also be combined with strength in order to make a difference.

A Comprehensive Overview of Qian Gua

[Meaning] Modesty and prudence—be modest to benefit, and full to suffer.

[Gua Yi] Humility, humility, tolerance.

[Introduction] After the hexagram "Dayou", it is quite eye-catching to describe the hexagram "Qian".Even if the national income doubles, if the difference is too large, the society will still be unstable.Humility means humility and humility. You should control yourself to treat others, abandon selfish desires and arrogance, and follow others, just like the full moon is fading away, and the water cuts away the mountains and piles up the low places. The more noble you are, the less you can forget to serve the humble heart.Excellent talent and beautiful appearance must be kept modest in order to shine.

【Heave meaning】In the upper hexagram, Kun is the earth, and in the lower hexagram, Liang is the mountain, that is, the mountain is underground.The mountain is tall, but it lies on the ground and does not think of itself as high, which symbolizes the virtues of humility and humility that people should have.Good results can only be achieved with humility.

[Structural model] Modesty and realness, everything is auspicious, modesty is not unfavorable, Laoqian is auspicious, Zhongzheng is modest, and modest Shikawa.Modesty (modest and respectful).

[Yin and Yang] One yang and five yin.

[Position] The [-]st and [-]th yao are in the yin position, and the [-]nd, [-]th, and [-]th yin are in the yin position.The Yang of the Three Yaos occupies the Yang position, and is at the turning critical position of the upper and lower hexagrams, as the main body.

[Status] Modesty and sincerity, Shibukawa is auspicious.

[Hexagram Image] The upper hexagram, Kun is the earth, the lower hexagram, Gen is the mountain, and the mountain is the image of the ground.Layers of mountains rise from the ground. The mountains are high, but they lie underground, rising and falling according to the ground.The land and the mountains are connected, and the image continues to extend.

[Thinking mode] Take the natural phenomenon of mountains lying underground instead of self-exalting as an example, and give people the advice of "there is a sky outside the sky, and there are mountains outside the mountains".When people are in the world, they must put "humility" as the most important thing. Only with an open mind and "the mountain is not too high, and the sea is inclusive of all rivers" can achieve success.

[Philosophical Enlightenment] The earth is up and the mountain is down. The one who is a high mountain absorbs its height first.Thus enlightening people: Modesty is the moral character that should be developed in the career, and only "being as straight as crooked, as clever as clumsy, as wise as foolish" is the demeanor of a gentleman.

[Decision-making thinking] "Humbleness benefits, fullness suffers."The current environment is to listen to the opinions of the people around with an open mind, not to be self-willed, and to carefully absorb all kinds of reasonable suggestions, so as to be conducive to the further development of the career.

(End of this chapter)