Decrease

Mountain above

Lake below

Translated from Richard Wilhelm's German (1924)

Introduction

The hexagram shows the lower trigram being decreased for the benefit of the upper, in that the third line, originally strong, has gone up, and the top line, originally weak, has taken its place. So the lower is decreased to meet the costs of the upper. But that is decrease pure and simple. If one reduces the foundation of a building and strengthens its upper walls, the whole loses firmness. In the same way, a decrease of the people's wealth for the benefit of the government is decrease pure and simple. And the whole drift of the hexagram is to point out how wealth can be shifted in this way without the sources of wealth among the people and the lower classes drying up as a result.

The Judgment

Decrease joined with sincerity brings exalted good fortune without fault. One can persist in this. It is favorable to undertake something. How does one carry this out? Two small bowls may be used for the offering.

Decrease does not mean something bad under all circumstances. Increase and decrease come, each in its time. What matters then is to come to terms with the time, and not to seek to hide poverty behind empty show. If an inner truth comes to expression through a time of small things, one must not be ashamed of simplicity. It is then just the right thing, lending the inner strength through which one can undertake something again. One must have no misgivings even if the outward beauty of culture, and indeed even the elaborate forms of religious relations, should have to suffer from the simplicity. One must take something from the strength of one's inner disposition and add it to the meagerness of the outward appearance to make up for it. Then the power of the content helps one get past the plainness of the form. Before God there is no need for false show. Even with small means the disposition of the heart can be expressed¹.

Compare the widow's mite in Luke's Gospel.

The Image

At the foot of the mountain lies the lake: the image of decrease. So the noble one curbs their anger and checks their impulses.

The lake at the mountain's foot evaporates and so is decreased for the good of the mountain, which it enriches with its moisture. The mountain is the image of stubborn strength, which can condense into anger; the lake is the image of uncontrolled merriment, which can develop into passionate impulses if it develops at the expense of the vital forces. This calls for decrease: anger must be decreased by keeping still, and the impulses must be checked by restraint. Through this decrease in the soul's lower powers, the higher sides of the soul are enriched.

The Lines

First line, nine

When one's affairs are done, to hurry there is no fault. But one must consider how far one may decrease others.

It is unselfish and good when, once one's own tasks of immediate importance are done, one puts one's strength at the service of others and, without making much of it or boasting, quickly helps where help is needed. But the person in a higher position who is helped in this way must consider carefully how much they may accept without doing real harm to the helpful servant or friend. Only where such tact is present can one give oneself unreservedly and without misgivings.

Second line, nine

Persistence is favorable. It brings misfortune to undertake something. Without decreasing oneself, one can increase others.

The disposition needed when one wants to serve others is a noble self-respect and a consistent earnestness that never compromises itself. Whoever throws themselves away to do a superior's bidding does decrease their own position, yet without being of lasting use to the other. But that is harmful. Serving the other without giving oneself up is the only true service of lasting worth.

Third line, six

When three people travel together, they decrease by one person. When one person travels, they find their companion.

Where three are together, there is jealousy. One of them has to give way. The closest bond is possible only between two. But where someone is alone, they are sure to find their companion, who complements them.

Fourth line, six

If one decreases one's shortcomings, one makes the other come quickly and rejoice. No fault.

Our shortcomings often keep even well-meaning people from coming closer to us. These shortcomings are often reinforced and made worse by the surroundings in which we find ourselves. If one can bring oneself to come down and cast them off, one frees these well-meaning friends from an inner pressure and makes them draw near all the more quickly, to the joy of both sides.

Fifth line, six

Someone may well increase them. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Exalted good fortune.

If someone is destined by fate for good luck, it is bound to come. All oracles, such as those obtained from tortoise shells, must agree in giving favorable signs for such a person. Such a person has nothing to fear, for their luck is ordained from above.

Top line, nine

If one is increased without decreasing others, that is no fault. Persistence brings good fortune. It is favorable to undertake something. One gains servants but no longer keeps a separate home.

There are people who bestow blessing on the whole world. Every gain in strength, every increase granted to them, benefits all people and therefore means no decrease for the others. Through persistent and diligent work one succeeds and finds the helpers one needs. But what one accomplishes is not a private advantage limited in any way; it is open and accessible to everyone.

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