Home › I Ching · 64 hexagrams › Hexagram 41
James Legge, 1899 (public domain)
In (what is denoted by) Sun, if there be sincerity (in him who employs it), there will be great good fortune:—freedom from error; firmness and correctness that can be maintained; and advantage in every movement that shall be made. In what shall this (sincerity in the exercise of Sun) be employed? (Even) in sacrifice two baskets of grain, (though there be nothing else), may be presented.
Sun — a lake beneath a mountain — is decrease: the lower gives up part of itself to sustain the higher. The oracle asks for sincerity and gives great good fortune on the smallest offering — two baskets of grain, if the heart be true. Suspend your own affairs and hasten to help another, but weigh how much to give. Hold firm rather than act where action would be evil. Of three walking together, one goes; walking alone, you find your friend. Diminish your ailment by letting help arrive gladly. Ten pairs of tortoise shells may be added to you without refusal. At the top, give to others without taking from yourself. Bridle anger and dam desire: the lessening is the strengthening.
Line 1
The first line, undivided, shows its subject suspending his own affairs, and hurrying away (to help the subject of the fourth line). He will commit no error, but let him consider how far he should contribute of what is his (for the other).
Line 2
The second line, undivided, shows that it will be advantageous for its subject to maintain a firm correctness, and that action on his part will be evil. He can give increase (to his correlate) without taking from himself.
Line 3
The third line, divided, shows how of three men walking together, the number is diminished by one; and how one, walking, finds his friend.
Line 4
The fourth line, divided, shows its subject diminishing the ailment under which he labours by making (the subject of the first line) hasten (to his help), and make him glad. There will be no error.
Line 5
The fifth line, divided, shows parties adding to (the stores of) its subject ten pairs of tortoise shells, and accepting no refusal. There will be great good fortune.
Line 6
The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject giving increase to others without taking from himself. There will be no error. With firm correctness there will be good fortune. There will be advantage in every movement that shall be made. He will find ministers more than can be counted by their clans.