Hexagram 15 · ䷎
Humility brings good fortune.
True humility brings good fortune. The humble person, like the sun that has reached its height and begins to set, knows when to withdraw. This brings prosperity and the confidence of others.
The sun reaches meridian and then declines. The moon approaches fullness and then wanes. All things rise and fall according to their cycles.
The Tuan explains that the sun reaches its peak then begins to decline, while the moon grows full then begins to wane. All things follow cycles of rise and fall. The humble person, understanding this, does not presume too much.
The mountain beneath the earth—the image of Humility. The noble person reduces the excessive and augments the deficient, balancing all under heaven.
A mountain hidden beneath the earth represents the virtue of humility that remains concealed. The noble person, seeing this image, diminishes the excessive and augments the deficient, bringing balance to all under heaven.
Humility manifests in simple conduct. Good fortune.
Humility expressed through simple living brings good fortune. The modest path leads to success.
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Simple humble conduct manifests good fortune.
Simple conduct expressing humility manifests good fortune.
Humility enduring, the person shouts like thunder. No error.
Your humility persists and your voice rings like thunder across the land. No error follows this conduct.
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Enduring humility like thunder's shout shows one possesses great virtue.
Persisting in humility, one's voice thunders forth—showing great virtue.
The humble person working; merit established.
The humble person accomplishes great deeds. Merit is established through service.
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The humble person establishes merit through their noble service.
The humble person establishes merit through noble service.
Nothing that is not advantageous.
Everything proves advantageous to those who maintain humility.
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All is beneficial to the humble.
All things prove advantageous to the humble.
A ruler employs humility to command invasion; not a full army, yet victory is complete.
A ruler uses humility to mobilize forces. Though the army is not full, complete victory is achieved.
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A ruler using humility to command invasion shows the power of virtue.
A ruler using humility to command shows virtue's power to mobilize.
Humility is used to call forth; those below are without walls. The humble person's words spread like a drum, conquering the lands without battle.
Humility serves as a call to arms, yet those below are without defenses. Your words spread like war drums, conquering lands without battle.
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Words spreading like a drum shows the humble person's influence conquers without force.
Words spreading like drums shows humble influence conquering without battle.