Hexagram 62 小過 - XIǍO GUÒ / PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL
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Trigrams#
- Above: Zhèn, the Arousing, Thunder
- Below: Gèn, Keeping Still, Mountain
While in the hexagram “Preponderance of the Great” (No. 28), the strong lines are in the majority and are situated on the inside, enclosed between the two weak lines at the beginning and the end, here the weak lines are in the majority and are likewise on the outside, while the strong ones are inside. This is the basis of the exceptional state. When the strong lines are on the outside, we find the hexagrams Yí, Providing Nourishment, and Zhōng Fú, Inner Truth, neither of which represents an exceptional state. When the strong lines are in the majority on the inside, they must force their way through. This creates struggle and exceptional states on a grand scale. Here, however, the weak must of necessity represent the outside. When one holds a decisive position to which one is not intrinsically equal by nature, extraordinary caution is required.
The Judgment#
Preponderance of the Small. Success. Perseverance furthers. Small things may be done; great things should not be done. The flying bird brings the message: “It is not well to strive upward, it is well to remain below.” Great good fortune!
Extraordinary modesty and conscientiousness will surely be rewarded with success. However, it is essential that these qualities do not become empty formulas or a subservient attitude, but remain combined with proper dignity in one’s personal conduct, preventing self-abasement. One must understand the demands of the time to find the right remedy for its defects and damages. Still, one must not count on great successes, as the necessary strength for them is lacking. Therefore, the message not to strive for high things but to keep to low ones is so important. That this message is brought by a bird follows from the shape of the hexagram. The four strong, heavy lines inside, supported by only two weak lines outside in Dà Guò (No. 28), give the image of a heavy ridgepole. Here, the supporting light lines are on the outside and in the majority; this gives the image of a soaring bird. But the bird should not presume to fly toward the sun; instead, it should descend to the earth where its nest is. It thereby delivers the message proclaimed by the hexagram.
The Image#
Thunder on the mountain: The image of Preponderance of the Small. Thus the superior man in his conduct places preponderance on reverence. In times of mourning, he places preponderance on grief. In his expenditures, he places preponderance on thrift.
Thunder on the mountain is different from thunder on the plain. In the mountains, the thunder is much closer, whereas outside the mountains, it is less audible than the thunder of an ordinary storm. Thus, the superior man derives from this image the call to keep duty closer and more immediate than ordinary people do, even though his behavior might consequently appear petty to outsiders. He is exceptionally meticulous in his actions. In times of mourning, inner grief is far closer to him than outward formality, and in personal expenditures, he is extraordinarily simple and unpretentious. All this makes him an exception compared to the masses. But the essence of this exception is that, outwardly, it always leans toward the side of the lowly.
The Lines#
Six at the beginning means:#
The bird meets with misfortune through flying.
The bird should first remain in its nest until it is fully fledged. If it tries to fly before then, it invites misfortune. Extraordinary measures should only be taken when there is no other way. To begin with, one must conform to what is customary for as long as possible; otherwise, one burns through one’s strength and achieves nothing.
Six in the second place means:#
She passes by her ancestor and meets her ancestress. He does not reach his prince and meets the official. No blame.
Two exceptional cases are mentioned here: In the ancestral temple, where the change of generations occurs, the grandson stands on the same side as the grandfather; hence, he has the closest relations to him. Here, the wife of the grandson is depicted, who passes by the ancestor during the sacrifice and turns toward the ancestress. This extraordinary behavior, however, is an expression of her modesty. She dares more readily to approach the ancestress, to whom she feels related by her gender, so this deviation from the rule is not a mistake.
Another image is that of the official who, as is proper, first seeks an audience with his prince. If he does not meet him, however, he does not try to force anything by violence, but finds his place in conscientious fulfillment of duty by joining the ranks of the officials. This extraordinary restraint is likewise no mistake in exceptional times. (As a rule, every official first has an audience with the prince by whom he is appointed. Here, the appointment comes from the minister.)
Nine in the third place means:#
If one does not take extraordinary precautions, someone may come up from behind and strike. Misfortune!
At times, extraordinary caution is absolutely necessary. Yet, in precisely such situations, there are straightforward and strong characters who, conscious of being in the right, disdain to take precautions because they consider it petty. Instead, they walk their path proudly and unconcerned. But this self-confidence deceives them. There are dangers that approach from ambush, to which they are not equal.
Still, this is a danger to which one is not unconditionally exposed; it can be avoided if one understands the situation of the times, which demands turning toward the small and insignificant in an extraordinary way.
Nine in the fourth place means:#
No blame. Without passing him by, he meets him. Going brings danger. One must be on guard. Do not act. Be constantly persevering.
The hardness of the character is softened by the gentleness of the position, so that no mistake is made. One finds oneself in a situation where one must restrain oneself to the utmost. One must not undertake anything on one’s own initiative to meet what is desired. And if one were to go forward to achieve one’s goal by force, one would encounter danger. Therefore, one must be on guard and not act, but constantly maintain inner perseverance.
Six in the fifth place means:#
Dense clouds, no rain from our western territory. The prince shoots and hits that one in the cave.
Since this is a high place, the image of the flying bird has changed to that of flying clouds. But no matter how dense the clouds are, they fly across the sky without shedding rain. Thus, in exceptional times, a born ruler may indeed be present who is called to set the world in order, but he cannot accomplish anything or bring his blessing to the people because he stands alone and has no helper.
In such times, one must search for helpers with whom to accomplish the work. But these helpers must be sought modestly in the obscurity to which they have withdrawn. It is not fame or a great name that matters, but actual achievement.
Through such modesty, one finds the right man and is able to complete the extraordinary work despite all difficulties.
Six at the top means:#
Without meeting him, he passes him by. The flying bird leaves him. Misfortune! This means disaster and injury.
If one shoots past the mark, one cannot hit it. If the bird does not want to return to its nest but flies higher and higher, it eventually falls into the hunter’s net. Anyone who, in extraordinary times, does not know how to stop in small things but restlessly presses on, invites misfortune from both gods and men because he distances himself from the natural order.
Reference links#
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