This hexagram is made up of the trigrams Kên, Keeping Still, mountain, and K'un. The

mountain is the youngest son of the Creative, the representative of heaven and earth. It

dispenses the blessings of heaven, the clouds and rain that gather round its summit, and

thereafter shines forth radiant with heavenly light. This shows what modesty is and how it

functions in great and strong men. K'un, the earth, stands above. Lowliness is a quality of the

earth: this is the very reason why it appears in this hexagram as exalted, by being placed above

the mountain.

This shows how modesty functions in lowly, simple people: they are lifted up

by it.

THE JUDGMENT

MODESTY creates success.

The superior man carries things through.

It is the law of heaven to make fullness empty and to make full what is modest; when the sun is at its

zenith, it must, according to the law of heaven, turn toward its setting, and at its nadir it rises toward a new

dawn. In obedience to the same law, the moon when it is full begins to wane, and when empty of light it

waxes again. This heavenly law works itself out in the fates of men also. It is the law of earth to alter the

full and to contribute to the modest.

High mountains are worn down by the waters, and the valleys are

filled up. It is the law of fate to undermine what is full and to prosper the modest. And men also hate

fullness and love the modest.

The destinies of men are subject to immutable laws that must fulfill themselves. But man has it in his

power to shape his fate, according as his behavior exposes him to the influence of benevolent or of

destructive forces. When a man holds a high position and is nevertheless modest, he shines with the light

of wisdom; if he is in a lowly position and is modest, he cannot be passed by. Thus the superior man can

carry out his work to the end without boasting of what he has achieved.

Here the balance with which the superior man should act when undertaking a task is the key to success.

He should leave aside the arrogance and to be humble. This way, his modesty lets his aptitude can be

noticed fully; on the other hand, an arrogant attitude would hinder the progress.

THE IMAGE

Within the earth, a mountain:

The image of MODESTY.

Thus the superior man reduces that which is too much,

And augments that which is too little.

He weighs things and makes them equal.

The wealth of the earth in which a mountain is hidden is not visible to the eye, because the depths are

offset by the height of the mountain. Thus high and low competent each other and the result is the plain.

Here an effect that it took a long time to achieve, but that in the end seems easy of accomplishment and

self-evident, is used as the image of modesty. The superior man does the same thing when he establishes

order in the world; he equalizes the extremes that are the source of social discontent and thereby creates

just and equable conditions.(1)

A hidden mountain under the earth means no ostentation. The superior man doesn't show what he has in

excess and cultivate what he has scarcely, because everyone has virtues and shortages, for that reason,

in this case, the volume of the mountain is used to fill the empty depth, and this way, to even. That is why

such a personality is in the search of the balance.

The mountain means wealth and the earth represents the moderate use of this. The hidden mountain

under the earth means also to maintain reservation. Not to show what one has in excess, but using that

energy in achieving what is not still possessed.

THE LINES

Six at the beginning means:

A superior man modest about his modesty

May cross the great water.

Good fortune.

A dangerous enterprise, such as the crossing of a great stream, is made much more difficult if many

claims and considerations have to be taken into account. On the other hand, the task is easy if it is

attended to quickly and simply. Therefore the unassuming attitude of mind that goes with modesty fits a

man to accomplish even difficult undertakings: he imposes no demands or stipulations but settles matters

easily and quickly. Where no claims are put forward, no resistances arise.

To add more humility to its modesty means not to be overestimated, but to be aware of the true value of

the own aptitude and to act starting from there with all the effectiveness that the same one provides, with

the result that one is under conditions of crossing the great river, that is to say, one is under conditions of

carrying out a great effort. To cross the great river also means to be under conditions of growing, that is

to say to be prepared to evolve and, in consequence, to feel happy. For this reason it is also enunciated

that with such an attitude the virtue of a man is perfected.

Six in the second place means:

Modesty that comes to expression. Perseverance brings good fortune.

"Out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh." When a man's attitude of mind is so modest that this

expresses itself in his outward behavior, it is a source of good fortune to him. For the possibility of

exerting a lasting influence arises of itself and no one can interfere.

Here reference is made to the advantages that provides the modesty when it is natural and spontaneous

in a person, since such an attitude will be easily noticed and grateful, for that reason it is said that he

takes the modesty in his heart, that is to say that humility is part in his way of being. This also means that

one's reputation is heard or taken into account.

Nine in the third place means:

A superior man of modesty and merit

Carries things to conclusion.

Good fortune.

This is the center of the hexagram, where its secret is disclosed. A distinguished name is readily earned

by great achievements. If a man allows himself to be dazzled by fame, he will soon be criticized, and

difficulties will arise. If, on the contrary, he remains modest despite his merit, he makes himself beloved

and wins the support necessary for carrying his work through to the end.

Here reference is made to a person whose modesty has taken it to occupy a place of honor. However,

such a personality wouldn't change its way of being, instead it will continue being consequent until the

end. For that reason, he will continue receiving the support from those who facilitated their rise. This

means reciprocal loyalty and represents that the man who has arrived to the place of honor, maintains

the values that he sustained from a principle.

Six in the fourth place means:

Nothing that would not further modesty

In movement.

Everything has its proper measure. Even modesty in behavior can be carried too far. Here, however, it is

appropriate, because the place between a worthy helper below and a kindly ruler above carries great

responsibility. The confidence of the man in superior place must not be abused nor the merits of the man

in inferior placed concealed. There are officials who indeed do not strive for prominence; they hide

behind the letter of ordinances, decline all responsibility, accept pay without giving its equivalent in work,

and bear empty titles. This is the opposite of what is meant here by modesty. In such a position, modesty

is shown by interest in one's work.

This one is dedicated entirely to carry out his duties.

Six in the fifth place means:

No boasting of wealth before one's neighbor.

It is favorable to attack with force.

Nothing that would not further.

Modesty is not to be confused with weak good nature that lets things take their own course. When a man

holds a responsible position, he must at times resort to energetic measures. In doing so he must not try to

make an impression by boasting of his superiority but must make certain of the people around him. The

measures taken should be purely objective and in no way personally offensive. Thus modesty manifests

itself even in severity.

It will be useful if he makes use of the force, that is to say, not to let things get out of his hands, resulting

the rebel should be disciplined and adjusted to the established rules.

Six at the top means:

Modesty that comes to expression.

It is favorable to set armies marching

To chastise one's own city and one's country.

A person who is really sincere in his modesty must make it show in reality. He must proceed with great

energy in this. When enmity arises nothing is easier than to lay the blame on another.

A weak man takes

offense perhaps, and draws back, feeling self-pity; he thinks that it is modesty that keeps him from

defending himself. Genuine modesty sets one to creating order and inspires one to begin by disciplining

one's own ego and one's immediate circle. Only through having the courage to marshal one's armies

against oneself, will something forceful really be achieved.

This implies to assume what matters to one and recognize if something is not still completely well driven;

for this reason the objective has not still been carried out.

This means that there are factors that hinder

the realization, with the result that it will be favorable to mobilize troops, that is to say, to start the

corrections. This type of attitude should be carried out first in the own inner circle, with an own behavior,

with the result that the own town and country would be corrected. This means the highest degree in the

humility that consists on recognizing own mistakes and assuming this way the responsibility of what one

has accomplished.

(1) This hexagram offers a number of parallels to the teachings of the Old and the New Testament, e.g.,

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted";

"Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be

made straight, and the rough places plain"; "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble". The

concept of the Last Judgement in the Parsee religion shows similar features. The Greek notion of the

jealousy of the gods might be mentioned in connection with the third of the biblical passages here cited.