Hexagram 41 損 - SǓN / DECREASE
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Trigrams#
- Above: Gèn, Keeping Still, Mountain
- Below: Duì, The Joyous, Lake
This hexagram represents a reduction of the lower trigram to benefit the upper, as the third line-originally strong-has moved to the top, and the originally weak top line has taken its place. The lower component is thus diminished for the sake of the upper. This constitutes decrease in its purest sense. If you weaken the foundation of a building to strengthen its upper walls, the entire structure loses stability. Similarly, diminishing the wealth of the people to benefit the government is a straightforward decrease. The entire focus of the hexagram is to illustrate how this shift in wealth can occur without drying up the sources of prosperity among the people and the lower classes.
The Judgment#
Decrease combined with sincerity Brings supreme good fortune without blame. One may be perseverance in this. It is favorable to undertake something. How is this carried out? One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice.
Decrease does not imply something negative under all circumstances. Increase and decrease come at their appointed times. The crucial point is to adapt to the time and not try to cover up poverty with empty show. When an inner truth finds expression during a time of meager resources, one should not feel ashamed of simplicity. In such times, simplicity is precisely what provides the inner strength needed to undertake new endeavors. One should not hesitate even if the outer beauty of culture, or even the elaboration of religious relationships, must suffer for the sake of simplicity. One must draw from the strength of inner conviction to compensate for the poverty of external appearances. Then the power of the content carries one past the simplicity of the form. Before God, false appearances are unnecessary. Even with modest means, the true disposition of the heart can find full expression.1
The Image#
At the foot of the mountain is the lake: the image of Decrease. Thus the superior man controls his anger and restrains his instincts.
The lake at the foot of the mountain evaporates. In doing so, it decreases to benefit the mountain, which is enriched by its moisture. The mountain represents stubborn strength that can harden into anger, while the lake represents uncontrolled joy that can develop into passionate instincts if it feeds at the expense of vital energies. Here, decrease is necessary: anger must be diminished by keeping still, and instincts must be curbed through restriction. By decreasing these lower psychological forces, the higher aspects of the soul are enriched.
The Individual Lines#
Nine at the beginning means:#
When one’s tasks are finished, to go quickly Is without blame. But one must consider To what extent one may decrease others.
It is selfless and good to place one’s energy at the service of others after completing one’s own urgent tasks, helping quickly where needed without making a display or boasting. However, the person in the higher position who receives this help must carefully consider how much they can accept without causing essential harm to the helpful servant or friend. Only where such sensitivity exists can one give oneself unreservedly without hesitation.
Nine in the second place means:#
Perseverance is favorable. To undertake something brings misfortune. Without decreasing oneself, One is able to increase others.
A noble self-awareness and consistent seriousness that compromises nothing are essential when one wishes to serve others. Someone who throws themselves away just to do the bidding of a superior diminishes their own position without bringing lasting benefit to the other. This is harmful. Serving another without giving up oneself is the only true service of lasting value.
Six in the third place means:#
When three people journey together, Their number decreases by one person. When one person journeys alone, They find their companion.
Where three are together, jealousy arises, and one must give way. The closest connection is only possible between two people. But when a person is lonely, they are certain to find a companion who complements them perfectly.
Six in the fourth place means:#
If one decreases one’s faults, It makes the other come quickly and bring joy. No blame.
Our faults often prevent even well-meaning people from approaching us. These flaws are frequently reinforced and worsened by our environment. If one can bring oneself to step down and cast them aside, it relieves well-meaning friends of an inner pressure, causing them to approach all the more quickly to mutual joy.
Six in the fifth place means:#
Someone increases him indeed. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose this. Supreme good fortune!
When someone is destined for good fortune by fate, it comes inevitably. All oracles, such as those obtained through tortoise shells, must concur in favorable signs to their advantage. They have nothing to fear, for their luck is a higher dispensation.
Nine at the top means:#
If one is increased without decreasing others, This is without blame. Perseverance brings good fortune. It is favorable to undertake something. One obtains servants, But no longer has a private home.
There are people who dispense blessings to the entire world. Every increase in strength or resources granted to them benefits all people and therefore implies no decrease for others. Through persistent and diligent work, one achieves success and finds the helpers needed. Yet, what one accomplishes is not a limited private advantage; it is open and accessible to everyone.
Reference links#
Cf. the widow’s mite in the Gospel of Luke. ↩︎
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