谦 Qiān Humility (Modesty) [hexagram 15]

Earth element

履 Lǚ [10] Cautious advance; Pressing forward

Opposite

豫 Yù [16] Delight; Enthusiasm

Inverse

解 Xiè [40] Release; Relief

Mutual

The Decision

The wise, exhibiting modesty, will make good progress.

Heaven rains down rewards on brilliance; earth radiates up to heaven. The way of heaven diminishes the proud and raises the humble. The way of earth overturns the proud and revitalizes the humble. Spirits bring calamity to the proud and bless the humble. The way of the people is to despise the proud and love the humble. Humility of the great increases their radiance; of the lowly it is a worthy aim. So, it is clear that ‘The wise will make good progress’.

谦: 亨, 君子有终. Qiān: hēng, jūn zǐ yǒu zhōng.

彖传: 谦, 亨, 天道下济而光明, 地道卑而上行. 天道亏盈而益谦, 地道变盈而流谦, 鬼神害盈而福谦, 人道恶盈而好谦. 谦尊而光, 卑而不可逾, 君子之终也. Tuàn zhuàn: Qiān, hēng, tiān dào xià jì ér guāng míng, dì dao bēi ér shàng xíng. tiān dào kuī yíng ér yìqiān, dì dao biàn yíng ér liúqiān, guǐ shén hài yíng ér fúqiān, rén dào è yíng ér hǎoqiān. Qiān zūn ér guāng, bēi ér bù kě yú, jūn zǐ zhī zhōng yě.

The Image

Within Earth there is Mountain forming ‘Humility’. The wise curtails excess and heal deficiencies, achieving balance.

象传: 地中有山, 谦; 君子以裒多益寡, 称物平施. Xiàng zhuàn: Dì zhōng yǒu shān, qiān; jūn zǐ yǐ póu duō yì guǎ, chēng wù píng shī.

Line Change 1

明夷 Míng yí [36] Overshadowing; Darkening

The wise seek to increase their genuine humility. A great journey can be undertaken and it will turn out well.

‘The wise seek to increase their humility’ – there is virtue in modesty.

初六: 谦谦君子, 用涉大川, 吉. Chū liù: qiān qiān jūn zǐ, yòng shè dà chuān, jí.

象传: 谦谦君子, 卑以自牧也. Xiàng zhuàn: Qiānqiān jūn zǐ, bēi yǐ zì mù yě.

Line Change 2

升 Shēng [46] Advancing upwards; Growing upward

Humility is self-evident. With appropriate commitment all will be well.

‘Humility is self-evident. With appropriate commitment all will be well’ – the virtue is heartfelt.

六二: 鸣谦, 贞吉. Liù èr: míng qiān, zhēn jí.

象传: 鸣谦贞吉, 中心得也. Xiàng zhuàn: Míng qiān zhēn jí, zhōng xīn dé yě.

Line Change 3

坤 Kūn [2] Acceptance; Responding

Humble toil brings merit. Persistence to the end will bring good fortune.

‘Humble toil brings merit’ – people will appreciate the endeavor.

九三: 劳谦, 君子有终, 吉. Jiǔ sān: láo qiān, jūn zǐ yǒu zhōng, jí.

象传: 劳谦君子, 万民服也. Xiàng zhuàn: Láo qiān jūn zǐ, wàn mín fú yě.

Line Change 4

小过 Xiǎo guò [62] Small surplus; Slight excess

Everything can be an advantage if conveyed with due humility.

‘Everything can be an advantage if conveyed with due humility’ – remaining true to the principle.

六四: 无不利, 㧑谦. Liù sì: wú bù lì, huī qiān.

象传: 无不利, 㧑谦; 不违则也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wú bù lì, huī qiān; bù wéi zé yě.

Line Change 5

蹇 Jiǎn [39] Obstruction; Hardship

Although not powerful may act forcefully with neighbors. The action is advantageous.

‘Act forcefully’ – even to those who will not yield.

六五: 不富, 以其邻, 利用侵伐, 无不利. Liù wǔ: bù fù, yǐ qí lín, lì yòng qīn fá, wú bù lì.

象传: 利用侵伐, 征不服也. Xiàng zhuàn: Lì yòng qīn fá, zhēng bù fú yě.

Line Change 6

艮 Gèn [52] Stillness; Immobility

Humility made self-evident. All can be put into action but to the detriment of the community.

‘Humility made self-evident’ but aims have not yet been attained. Mobilize the people but only after gaining the community's support.

上六: 鸣谦, 利用行师, 征邑国. Shàng liù: míng qiān, lì yòng xíng shī, zhēng yì guó.

象传: 鸣谦, 志未得也. 可用行师, 征邑国也. Xiàng zhuàn: Míng qiān, zhì wèi dé yě. kě yòng xíng shī, zhēng yì guó yě.