Qian

Hexagram 15: Modesty (Qian)

䷎ Below Gen (Mountain) above Kun (Earth)

The Book of Changes

The Modesty hexagram: Success. The superior man will have a good outcome.

The first six (line): A superior man who is modest and even more modest can cross a great river. Auspicious.

The second six: Proclaiming the virtue of modesty. Divination yields auspiciousness.

The third nine: A superior man who is diligent and modest has a good outcome. Auspicious.

The fourth six: Nothing unfavorable. Give full play to the virtue of modesty.

The fifth six: Not wealthy, because of the neighbor’s affairs. It is favorable to send out troops for punitive expeditions. Nothing unfavorable.

The top six: Proclaiming the virtue of modesty. It is favorable to send out troops to subdue cities and dependent states.

The Commentary on the Decision says

The Modesty hexagram: Success. The way of Heaven is to descend and assist all things, bringing them to light. The way of Earth is to be lowly and yet to move upward. The way of Heaven is to diminish the full and increase the modest. The way of Earth is to alter the full and pour it toward the modest. Spirits and ghosts harm the full and bless the modest. The way of humanity is to hate the full and love the modest. The virtue of modesty is honored and brilliant. Though its position is lowly, it cannot be surpassed. This is the final outcome for the superior man.

The Commentary on the Images says

Within the earth there is a mountain: This is the image of Modesty. The superior man, in accordance with this, reduces the excessive and augments the deficient, measuring things’ amounts and distributing them fairly.

“A superior man who is modest and even more modest” uses humility to cultivate himself.

“Proclaiming the virtue of modesty and divination yields auspiciousness” because the heart has attained the central and correct way.

“A superior man who is diligent and modest” — all the people will submit to him.

“Nothing unfavorable in giving full play to the virtue of modesty” because it does not violate the principle.

“It is favorable to send out troops for punitive expeditions” because one punishes those who do not submit.

“Proclaiming the virtue of modesty” because the aspiration has not yet been realized. “One can send out troops” to subdue cities and dependent states.