Hexagram 15 謙 - QIĀN / MODESTY

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Trigrams

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• Above Kūn, the Receptive, Earth
• Below Gèn, Keeping Still, Mountain

The hexagram is composed of Gèn, Keeping Still, the Mountain, and Kūn, the Receptive, Earth. The mountain is the youngest son of the Creative, the representative of heaven on earth. It dispenses the blessings of heaven, the clouds and rain that gather around its peak, downward, and then shines transfigured in heavenly light. This demonstrates modesty and its effect in high and strong people. Above stands Kūn, the Earth. The quality of the earth is lowliness, but for this very reason, it is represented as exalted in this hexagram by being placed above the mountain. This shows the effect of modesty in low, simple people: they are exalted by it.

The Judgment

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Modesty creates success. The superior man carries through to the end.

The law of heaven empties the full and fills the modest. When the sun is at its highest, it must move toward its setting according to heavenly law; when it is at its deepest below the earth, it moves toward a new rising. When the moon is full, it wanes according to the same law, and when it is empty, it waxes again. This heavenly law also operates in the destinies of human beings. The law of earth is to change the full and flow toward the modest: high mountains are worn down by waters, and valleys are filled up. The law of destiny’s powers is to harm the full and dispense good fortune to the modest. Humans, too, hate the full and love the modest.

Destinies follow fixed laws that act with necessity. Yet human beings have it in their power to shape their own destiny, depending on whether they expose themselves to the influence of blessing or destructive forces through their behavior. When a person holds a high position and shows modesty, they shine in the light of wisdom. When they are low and show modesty, they cannot be overlooked. Thus, the superior man succeeds in carrying his work through to the end without boasting of his achievement.

The Image

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Within the earth, there is a mountain: The image of Modesty. Thus the superior man diminishes what is too much, And increases what is too little. He weighs things and makes them equal.

The wealth of the earth hiding a mountain within is not apparent from the outside, for the height of the mountain serves to balance the depressions. Thus high and low complement each other, and the result is a plain. This provides the image of modesty: that which required long-lasting effort appears natural and easy. This is how the superior man acts when establishing order on earth. He balances social extremes, which are the source of unrest, and thereby creates just and level conditions.¹

The Lines

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Six at the beginning means:

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A modest-modest superior man may cross the great water. Good fortune!

A dangerous undertaking, such as crossing a great water, is made very difficult if many demands and considerations must be taken into account. On the other hand, it becomes easy if it is handled quickly and simply. Therefore, the completely unpretentious mindset of modesty is well-suited to accomplish even difficult undertakings, because it makes no demands or preconditions, but dispatches the matter nimbly and easily. Where no claims are made, no resistances arise.

Six in the second place means:

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Modesty that expresses itself. Perseverance brings good fortune. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

When someone is so inwardly modest that this attitude shows in their outward behavior, it turns out to their good fortune. In this way, they naturally possess the possibility of persistent influence, which no one can displace.

Nine in the third place means:

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A meritorious and modest superior man carries through to the end. Good fortune!

Here is the center of the hexagram, where its secret is voiced. Through great achievements, one soon acquires a significant name. If one allows oneself to be blinded by fame, criticism will very soon set in, and difficulties will arise. If, on the other hand, one remains modest despite one’s merits, one makes oneself beloved and wins the helper forces needed to carry the work one has undertaken through to the end.

Six in the fourth place means:

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Nothing that would not be furthering For modesty in movement.

Everything has its measure. Even modesty in behavior can be exaggerated. Here it is in place, since the position between a meritorious assistant below and a kindly ruler above carries a very great responsibility. The trust of the superior must not be abused, and the merits of the subordinate must not be obscured. There are indeed officials who do not distinguish themselves; they shelter behind the letter of regulations, reject all responsibility, accept pay without rendering a corresponding service, and carry titles given no meaning by reality. The modesty mentioned here is the exact opposite of that. Modesty in such a position shows itself precisely by being engaged with interest in the work.

Six in the fifth place means:

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Not boasting of wealth to one’s neighbor. It is furthering to attack with force. Nothing that would not be furthering.

Modesty is different from weak good-nature that lets everything slide. When occupying a responsible post, one must occasionally take energetic action. But for this, it is necessary not to seek to influence by personally boasting of one’s superiority; rather, one must be certain of one’s surroundings. The intervention must be purely objective and must contain nothing personally offensive. In this, modesty shows itself even in severity.

Six at the top means:

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Modesty that expresses itself. It is furthering to set armies marching To chastise one’s own city and one’s own country.

Anyone who is truly earnest about their modesty must ensure that it manifests in reality. They must proceed with great energy. When hostility arises, nothing is easier than to look for the blame in others. A weak person might then withdraw into themselves, feeling offended and taking pity on themselves, believing it to be modesty that they do not fight back. True modesty shows itself in vigorously setting about creating order, beginning the chastisement with one’s own self and one’s closest circle. Something truly powerful is accomplished only when one has the courage to let one’s armies march against oneself.²

Reference links

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• Hexagram look-up table
• Advanced hexagram correspondence table