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#41

Decrease

損 — Sǔn
Upper trigram: Mountain (Gèn) · Lower trigram: Lake (Duì)

Overall meaning

Hexagram Decrease symbolizes beneficial reduction and sacrifice for a greater goal. Upper trigram is Mountain, lower is Lake — decrease below to add above. Decrease is not always bad — sometimes a small sacrifice brings greater long-term benefit.

Judgment text (Thoán từ)

Decrease: with sincerity, supreme good fortune, no blame — perseverance is possible — it furthers one to have somewhere to go. How is this carried out? With two small bowls one may make sacrifice. Simple but sincere offerings.

Line texts (6 lines)

  1. 1
    First Nine: Going quickly when one's task is finished — no blame. Reflect well on decrease before action — don't take pride in sacrifice.
  2. 2
    Second Nine: Perseverance furthers — to undertake something brings misfortune — without decreasing oneself, one is able to bring increase to others. Hold the right stance, no haste — further sacrifice would not benefit.
  3. 3
    Third Six: Three people walking lose one — one walking finds a friend. The crowd splits — the few unite.
  4. 4
    Fourth Six: If a man decreases his faults, then there will soon be joy — no blame. Free yourself of burdens — joy comes quickly.
  5. 5
    Fifth Six: Someone increases him with ten pairs of tortoises — no one can resist — supreme good fortune. Receive an unexpected great blessing — cannot refuse.
  6. 6
    Top Nine: If one is increased without depriving others, no blame — perseverance brings good fortune — it furthers one to undertake something — one obtains servants but no longer has a separate home. At the peak, sacrifice becomes everyone's gain.

Applications by topic

Marriage
Sometimes sacrifice something personal to nurture the relationship. Right yielding strengthens love.
Career
Time to invest in learning and growth at some cost. Sacrifice short-term gain to build long-term capacity.
Wealth
Cut unnecessary spending to boost savings. Invest in things of lasting value. Sacrifice today's enjoyment for tomorrow's security.
Health
Drop bad habits to improve health. Sometimes uncomfortable treatment is needed to heal. Sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term health.
Lawsuit
Concede on small points to keep the larger advantage. No need to win all — yield one step to advance two.

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