Richard Wilhelm & Cary F. Baynes translation, 1950

   15. Ch'ien / Modesty

       above  K'UN  THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
       below  KEN  KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN





This hexagram is made up of the trigrams Kên, Keeping Still, mountain, 
and K'un. The mountain is the youngest son of the Creative, the representative 
of heaven and earth. It dispenses the blessings of heaven, the clouds and rain 
that gather round its summit, and thereafter shines forth radiant with 
heavenly light. This shows what modesty is and how it functions in great 
and strong men. K'un, the earth, stands above. Lowliness is a quality of the 
earth: this is the very reason why it appears in this hexagram as exalted, 
by being placed above the mountain. This shows how modesty functions in 
lowly, simple people: they are lifted up by it.


        THE JUDGMENT

        MODESTY creates success.
        The superior man carries things through.


It is the law of heaven to make fullness empty and to make full what is modest; 
when the sun is at its zenith, it must, according to the law of heaven, turn 
toward its setting, and at its nadir it rises toward a new dawn. In obedience 
to the same law, the moon when it is full begins to wane, and when empty of light 
it waxes again. This heavenly law works itself out in the fates of men also. 
It is the law of earth to alter the full and to contribute to the modest. 
High mountains are worn down by the waters, and the valleys are filled up. 
It is the law of fate to undermine what is full and to prosper the modest. 
And men also hate fullness and love the modest.
  
The destinies of men are subject to immutable laws that must fulfill themselves. 
But man has it in his power to shape his fate, according as his behavior exposes 
him to the influence of benevolent or of destructive forces. When a man holds 
a high position and is nevertheless modest, he shines with the light of wisdom; 
if he is in a lowly position and is modest, he cannot be passed by. Thus the 
sage can carry out his work to the end without boasting of what he has achieved.


        THE IMAGE

        Within the earth, a mountain:
        The image of MODESTY.
        Thus the superior man reduces that which is too much,
        And augments that which is too little.
        He weighs things and makes them equal.


The wealth of the earth in which a mountain is hidden is not visible to the eye, 
because the depths are offset by the height of the mountain. Thus high and low 
competent each other and the result is the plain. Here an effect that it took 
a long time to achieve, but that in the end seems easy of accomplishment and 
self-evident, is used as the image of modesty. The superior man does the same 
thing when he establishes order in the world; he equalizes the extremes that are 
the source of social discontent and thereby creates just and equable conditions.

        THE LINES

        Six at the beginning means:
        A superior man modest about his modesty
        May cross the great water.
        Good fortune.

A dangerous enterprise, such as the crossing of a great stream, is made much 
more difficult if many claims and considerations have to be taken into account. 
On the other hand, the task is easy if it is attended to quickly and simply. 
Therefore the unassuming attitude of mind that goes with modesty fits a man 
to accomplish even difficult undertakings: he imposes no demands or stipulations 
but settles matters easily and quickly. Where no claims are put forward, 
no resistances arise.

        Six in the second place means:
        Modesty that comes to expression. Perseverance brings good fortune.

"Out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh." When a man's 
attitude of mind is so modest that this expresses itself in his outward 
behavior, it is a source of good fortune to him. For the possibility of 
exerting a lasting influence arises of itself and no one can interfere.

        °Nine in the third place means:
        A superior man of modesty and merit
        Carries things to conclusion.
        Good fortune.

This is the center of the hexagram, where its secret is disclosed. 
A distinguished name is readily earned by great achievements. If a man 
allows himself to be dazzled by fame, he will soon be criticized, and 
difficulties will arise. If, on the contrary, he remains modest despite 
his merit, he makes himself beloved and wins the support necessary for 
carrying his work through to the end.

        Six in the fourth place means:
        Nothing that would not further modesty
        In movement.

Everything has its proper measure. Even modesty in behavior can be carried 
too far. Here, however, it is appropriate, because the place between a 
worthy helper below and a kindly ruler above carries great responsibility. 
The confidence of the man in superior place must not be abused nor the merits 
of the man in inferior placed concealed. There are officials who indeed 
do not strive for prominence; they hide behind the letter of ordinances, 
decline all responsibility, accept pay without giving its equivalent in work, 
and bear empty titles. This is the opposite of what is meant here by modesty. 
In such a position, modesty is shown by interest in one's work.

        Six in the fifth place means:
        No boasting of wealth before one's neighbor. 
        It is favorable to attack with force.
        Nothing that would not further.

Modesty is not to be confused with weak good nature that lets things take 
their own course. When a man holds a responsible position, he must at times 
resort to energetic measures. In doing so he must not try to make an impression 
by boasting of his superiority but must make certain of the people around him. 
The measures taken should be purely objective and in no way personally offensive. 
Thus modesty manifests itself even in severity.

        Six at the top means:
        Modesty that comes to expression.
        It is favorable to set armies marching
        To chastise one's own city and one's country.

A person who is really sincere in his modesty must make it show in reality. 
He must proceed with great energy in this. When enmity arises nothing is 
easier than to lay the blame on another. A weak man takes offense perhaps, 
and draws back, feeling self-pity; he thinks that it is modesty that keeps 
him from defending himself. Genuine modesty sets one to creating order and 
inspires one to begin by disciplining one's own ego and one's immediate 
circle. Only through having the courage to marshal one's armies against 
oneself, will something forceful really be achieved.

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