䷨
Decrease
Hexagram 41
Upper Trigram
☶ Mountain
Lower Trigram
☱ Lake
Decrease combined with sincerity brings about supreme good fortune without blame. One may be persevering in this.
At the foot of the mountain, the lake. Thus the superior man controls his anger and restrains his instincts.
Line 1
Going quickly when one's tasks are finished is without blame. But one must reflect on how much one may decrease others.
Line 2
Perseverance furthers. To undertake something brings misfortune. Without decreasing oneself, one is able to bring increase to others.
Line 3
When three people journey together, their number decreases by one. When one man journeys alone, he finds a companion.
Line 4
If a man decreases his faults, it makes the other hasten to come and rejoice. No blame.
Line 5
Someone does indeed increase him. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Supreme good fortune.
Line 6
If one is increased without depriving others, there is no blame.