Sun — Decrease
Sun — Decrease
(158)
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
Six 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.
Six in the second place means:
Perseverance furthers.
To undertake something brings misfortune.
Without decreasing onself,
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 decreases 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.
Six 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.
(Note: the numbers in parentheses below the title of each hexagram refer to the page in the Wilhelm/Baynes 1968 Third Edition of I Ching or book of changes where additional commentary on the individual hexagram can be found.)
