Hexagram 15 of 64
謙 Qiān · Modesty
上 坤 Earth (Kūn) over 下 艮 Mountain (Gèn)
Hold something back; the road runs longer.
Judgment
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, judgment. English translation in preparation.
Image
In short: a mountain within the earth.
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, Great Image. Short gloss by Koyonari; full translation in preparation.
Commentary
Qiān is a mountain held within the earth; high though it naturally stands, it shelters beneath the surface. Qiān teaches folding inward a measure of what you hold: leaving some leeway lets the path run farther, with far fewer stumbling blocks. Folding it away is not denying its presence, but freeing it from the constant need for demonstration.
Koyonari commentary.
The Six Lines
“The modest and humble noble person may cross the great river; good fortune.” A noble person, meaning someone of virtue, is humble, and humbler still. Even a hardship such as crossing a great river can be undertaken, with “good fortune,” or an auspicious outcome. In this initial position, the attitude toward danger and difficulty is one of humility and willingness to take a lower place.
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 1. Koyonari translation.
“A modest, modest noble person uses lowliness to nurture himself.” The noble person who is modest upon modest cultivates himself by maintaining a humble posture.
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 2. Koyonari translation.
“Modesty finding resonance; steadfastness brings good fortune.” Modesty comes from within and naturally appears in speech and conduct, becoming known to others: this is “modesty that makes itself heard.” “Steadfastness brings good fortune” means that holding to the right path brings an auspicious outcome. Modesty has both inner substance and outward expression, and requires remaining true to the right path throughout.
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 3. Koyonari translation.
“Acknowledged modesty, steadfast and auspicious: gained from the very heart.” The Six in the Second has renown for modesty and attains good fortune through steadfastness because this humility is genuinely attained from within the heart.
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 4. Koyonari translation.
“The meritorious and modest noble person brings things to a conclusion with good fortune.” A noble person, meaning someone of virtue, remains modest despite hard work and achievements. Carrying this attitude through to the end brings a good conclusion; “good fortune” means an auspicious outcome. Having accomplishments without boasting about them is the essential meaning of “modesty amid toil and achievement.”
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 5. Koyonari translation.
“A meritorious yet modest noble person: the myriad people submit.” The noble person who achieves meritorious service yet remains ever more deferential and modest possesses profound virtue without boasting of his accomplishments, so that the myriad people naturally submit with heartfelt respect.
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 6. Koyonari translation.
“Nothing that is not favorable; demonstrating modest service.” Modesty is expressed in every action, whether advancing or withdrawing, and nothing is unfavorable. Huī means putting into practice; “putting modesty into practice” means giving it expression in one’s conduct. This concerns how modesty appears in handling affairs: actions, too, must accord with a humble attitude and willingness to take a lower place.
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 7. Koyonari translation.
“Nothing is unfavorable in expressing modesty: not violating the rule.” The Six in the Fourth manifests modesty in all aspects without any unfavorable outcome, because his conduct does not violate the rules of modesty.
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 8. Koyonari translation.
“Not rich, relying on one's neighbors; favorable to attack obstinacy, nothing that is not favorable.” Even without relying on wealth, one can gain the allegiance of neighbors. “Favorable to undertake a military campaign” refers to a campaign against those who still refuse to submit; “nothing unfavorable” means there is no unfavorable aspect. Placing modesty alongside the use of troops shows that Qiān does not mean yielding in every circumstance.
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 9. Koyonari translation.
“Beneficial to employ invasion and attack: to punish those who do not submit.” The line statement of the Six in the Fifth says that deploying military force is beneficial, which serves to punish and subjugate those who refuse to submit.
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 10. Koyonari translation.
“Modesty acknowledged; favorable to move armies to chastise one's own domain.” Modesty has become known to others: this is “modesty that makes itself heard.” “Favorable to deploy troops” means that sending out an army is favorable, with the campaign confined to towns and territories under one’s own authority. At the end of Qiān, campaigns to subdue and govern remain within one’s jurisdiction; their reach is not unlimited.
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 11. Koyonari translation.
“Acknowledged modesty, the ambition is not yet attained: one may mobilize troops to punish the city-states.” The Top Six enjoys renown for modesty, yet the underlying ambition has not been attained. Military forces may be mobilized, but what is punished is the city-states (Zhū Xī explains this as punishing one’s own city-state).
Zhouyi, hexagram 15, line 12. Koyonari translation.