41/ 損 / ䷨ / Decrease
the judgement
DECREASE combined with sincerity
Brings about supreme good fortune
Without blame.
One may be persevering in this.
It furthers one to undertake something.
How is this to be carried out?
One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice.
the image
At the foot of the mountain, the lake:
The image of DECREASE.
Thus the superior man controls his anger
And restrains his instincts.
the lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Going quickly when one’s tasks are finished
Is without blame.
But one must reflect on how much one may decrease others.
Nine in the second place means:
Perseverance furthers.
To undertake something brings misfortune.
Without decreasing oneself,
One is able to bring increase to others.
Six in the third place means:
When three people journey together,
Their number decreases by one.
When one man journeys alone,
He finds a companion.
Six in the fourth place means:
If a man deceases his faults,
It makes the other hasten to come and rejoice.
No blame.
Six in the fifth place means:
Someone does indeed increase him.
Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it.
Supreme good fortune.
Nine at the top means:
If one is increased without depriving others,
There is no blame.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
It furthers one to undertake something.
One obtains servants
But no longer has a separate home.
41/ 損 / ䷨ / The Sun Hexagram
Explanation of the entire figure by king Wăn
In (what is denoted by) Sun, if there be sincerity (in him who employs it), there will be great good fortune:--freedom from error; firmness and correctness that can be maintained; and advantage in every
movement that shall be made. In what shall this (sincerity in the exercise of Sun) be employed? (Even) in sacrifice two baskets of grain, (though there be nothing else), may be presented.
Explanation of the separate lines by the duke of Kâu
Thefirst NINE, undivided,
shows its subject suspending his own affairs, and hurrying away (to help the subject of the fourth line).
He will commit no error, but let him consider how far he should contribute of what is his (for the other).
The second NINE, undivided,
hows that it will be advantageous for its subject to maintain a firm correctness, and that
action on his part will be evil. He can give increase (to his correlate) without taking from himself
The third SIX, divided,
shows how of three men walking together, the number
is diminished by one; and how one, walking, finds his friend.
Thefourth SIX, divided,
shows its subject diminishing the ailment under which he labours by making (the subject of the first line)
hasten (to his help), and make him glad. There will be no error.
Thefifth SIX, divided,
shows parties adding to (the stores of) its subject ten pairs of tortoise shells,
and accepting no refusal. There will be great good fortune.
Thetopmost NINE, undivided,
shows its subject giving increase to others without taking from himself. There will be no error. With firm
correctness there will be good fortune. There will be advantage in every movement that shall be made. He will find ministers more than can be counted by their clans.
41/ 損 / ䷨ / Sun
decision
Decreasing.
Being sincere and truthful:
Supreme good forunte, no fault.
Appropriate to be steadfast and upright.
Favorable to have somehwere to go.
How is it to be used?
Two bamboo trays can be used for offering.
commentary on the symbol
At the foot of the Mountain,
There is a Lake.
It is an image of Decreasing.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person controls his anger
And restrains his desire.
yao text (the lines)
Initial Nine
Suspend one's own affairs.
Hurry forward, no fault.
Weigh how much one can decrease.
Second Nine
Favorable to be steadfast and upright.
Moving forward: misfortune.
Without decreasing,
Increase.
Third Six
Three people walk together
Then decrease by one.
One walks alone,
Then finds a friend.
Fourth Six
Decrease one's ailment,
Hasten to help.
There is rejoicing, no fault.
Fifth Six
Probably being increased.
A tortoise worth ten pairs of shells
Cannot be refused.
Supreme good fortune.
Top Nine
Without decreasing, increase.
No fault
Being steadfast and upright: good fortune.
Favorable to have somewhere to go.
Obtain subordinates
Without consideration of their households.