Hexagram 15 · ䷎

Modesty

謙 · Qiān

Upper Earth 坤Lower Mountain 艮

The Judgment · 卦辭

亨，君子有終。

Khien indicates progress and success. The superior man, (being humble as it implies), will have a (good) issue (to his undertakings).

The Image · 大象

地中有山，謙；君子以裒多益寡，稱物平施。

(The trigram for) the earth and (that of) a mountain in the midst of it form Khien. The superior man, in accordance with this, diminishes what is excessive (in himself), and increases where there is any defect, bringing about an equality, according to the nature of the case, in his treatment (of himself and others).

Plain-English Meaning

Modesty. Quiet competence and humility bring lasting success.

The Judgment

The modest person carries things through to the end.

The Image

Like a mountain hidden within the earth, balance excess and give where there is too little.

Editorial summary written for this site; not a translation.

The Lines · 爻辭

初六 · Line 1
謙謙君子，用涉大川，吉。
The first SIX, divided, shows us the superior man who adds humility to humility. (Even) the great stream may be crossed with this, and there will be good fortune.
象曰：謙謙君子，卑以自牧也。
六二 · Line 2
鳴謙，貞吉。
The second SIX, divided, shows us humility that has made itself recognised. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
象曰：鳴謙貞吉，中心得也。
九三 · Line 3
勞謙君子，有終吉。
The third NINE, undivided, shows the superior man of (acknowledged) merit. He will maintain his success to the end, and have good fortune.
象曰：勞謙君子，萬民服也。
六四 · Line 4
无不利，撝謙。
The fourth SIX, divided, shows one, whose action would be in every way advantageous, stirring up (the more) his humility.
象曰：无不利撝謙；不違則也。
六五 · Line 5
不富，以其鄰，利用侵伐，无不利。
The fifth SIX, divided, shows one who, without being rich, is able to employ his neighbours. He may advantageously use the force of arms. All his movements will be advantageous.
象曰：利用侵伐，征不服也。
上六 · Line 6
鳴謙，利用行師，征邑國。
The sixth SIX, divided, shows us humility that has made itself recognised. The subject of it will with advantage put his hosts in motion; but (he will only) punish his own towns and state.
象曰：鳴謙，志未得也。可用行師，征邑國也。

English: James Legge (1882), public domain · Text · Image (Appendix II), sacred-texts.com.

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