Hexagram 15, Qiān (Modesty): Line 4

谦卦六四 · 地山谦 · 中文版

六四:无不利,撝谦。

The line (Legge)

The fourth SIX, divided, shows one, whose action would be in every way advantageous, stirring up (the more) his humility.

Small Image commentary

'One, whose action would be in every way advantageous, stirs up his humility the more:'(but in doing so) he does not act contrary to the (proper) rule.

象曰:无不利撝谦,不违则也。

In plain words

Nothing that is not favourable: exercising modesty. The fourth line is at the bottom of the upper trigram, placed above the hard-working third line, and so must be all the more yielding. The Small Image says this does not go against the rule.

Applying it to your situation

If you are placed above someone who has done the real work, this line suggests showing them even more respect. How can you make the people doing the work feel valued?

Position

A broken (yin) line in the fourth place, which is a yin (even) place, so it is in its proper place. Its partner is line 1; both are yin, so they do not respond.

If this line moves

With this line moving alone, Qiān changes into Hexagram 62 Xiǎo Guò (Small Exceeding). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·谦之小过.

A recorded case from Takashima

Qian (Modesty) to Xiao Guo: how an institution should raise up talent: A dignitary asked about the fortunes of a certain council and received the fourth line of Qian (Modesty), "nothing unfavourable; spreading modesty". Takashima said the body, though full of able men, had gone slack, and should seek out and promote the capable person serving below.

The hexagram

Hexagram 15 Qiān (Modesty). The Judgment: Qian indicates progress and success. The superior man, (being humble as it implies), will have a (good) issue (to his undertakings).

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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.

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