15 · 謙

Hexagram 15, 謙. Original Chinese judgment: 亨，君子有終。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

亨，君子有終。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初六：謙謙君子，用涉大川，吉。
  2. 六二：鳴謙，貞吉。
  3. 九三：勞謙，君子有終，吉。
  4. 六四：无不利，撝謙。
  5. 六五：不富，以其鄰，利用侵伐，无不利。
  6. 上六：鳴謙，利用行師，征邑國。

Tuan commentary

謙，亨，天道下濟而光明，地道卑而上行。天道虧盈而益謙，地道變盈而流謙，鬼神害盈而福謙，人道惡盈而好謙。謙尊而光，卑而不可逾，君子之終也。

维基文库 · 周易 · 谦

Great Image commentary

地中有山，謙；君子以裒多益寡，稱物平施。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 謙謙君子，卑以自牧也。
  2. 鳴謙貞吉，中心得也。
  3. 勞謙君子，萬民服也。
  4. 无不利撝謙；不違則也。
  5. 利用侵伐，征不服也。
  6. 鳴謙，志未得也。可用行師，征邑國也。

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese

Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.

朱熹《周易本義》

維基文庫 · 周易本義（四庫全書本）卷一

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains Qian, the Humility hexagram, as possessing ability and virtue without claiming superiority, stillness in the inner trigram and yielding responsiveness in the outer trigram. Like a high mountain beneath the earth, first yielding oneself allows later expression and a sound conclusion.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. Yielding strength at the lowest position is the utmost humility. Cultivating oneself in this way allows the exemplary person to cross even great danger.
  2. Yielding, centered correctness in the second yin line makes humble virtue naturally known outwardly. Esteem arising from inner attainment and correctness is auspicious.
  3. The third yang line is the sole yang line, firm and correctly placed, receiving allegiance above and below. Remaining humble despite achievement is especially difficult and brings a sound conclusion.
  4. The fourth yin line is yielding and correctly placed, able to lower itself despite being above. Occupying a position above the accomplished third yang line calls for actively expressing that one does not take this standing for granted.
  5. Yielding strength in the honored position remains humble. Neighbors willingly follow without being driven by wealth; those who do not submit may be corrected through action.
  6. Humble virtue at its extreme is known outwardly, but yielding yin lacks position and has limited ability. Even employing people is sufficient only to govern its own sphere.

Plain-language reading

Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.

Judgment introduction

Qian, the Humility hexagram, does not deny one’s ability or virtue, but refuses to claim superiority from them. Like a high mountain beneath the earth, lowering oneself and respecting others may allow one’s work to endure to its end.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. At the lowest position, become still more humble. This can cultivate oneself and enable the work of crossing great difficulty.
  2. Humility arises from within and naturally gains recognition. Because it is genuine and correct, it is described as auspicious.
  3. To have merit yet remain humble, without claiming others’ allegiance as one’s own possession, is especially rare and allows completion.
  4. Placed above someone with merit, show humility and restraint actively rather than resting content in position.
  5. Without using wealth to compel neighbors, one may still gain followers. Resistance may be corrected according to principle.
  6. The reputation for humility has spread, but one’s own strength is limited. Even when directing others, first put internal affairs in order.

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