Decrease
"The lake at the foot of the mountain. Decrease the lower to enrich the upper."
The Judgment
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.
Original Text
有孚，元吉，无咎，可贞，利有攸往。曷之用，二簋可用享。
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.
Original Text
山下有泽，损；君子以惩忿窒欲。
The Lines
Nine at the Beginning初九
"Going quickly when one's tasks are finished. No blame. But one must reflect on how much one may decrease."
Help others, but do not exhaust yourself.
Original: 已事遄往，无咎，酌损之。
Nine at the Place 2九二
"Perseverance furthers. To undertake something brings misfortune. One should not decrease oneself without increasing the others."
Serve others by maintaining your own integrity.
Original: 利贞，征凶，弗损益之。
Six at the Place 3六三
"When three people journey together, their number decreases by one. When one man journeys alone, he finds a friend."
Focus creates deep connection. Too many distractions prevent unity.
Original: 三人行，则损一人；一人行，则得其友。
Six at the Place 4六四
"If a man decreases his faults, it makes the other hasten to come and rejoice. No blame."
Correcting your own faults attracts help.
Original: 损其疾，使遄有喜，无咎。
Six at the Place 5六五
"Someone does indeed increase him. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Supreme good fortune."
Great good fortune comes from above.
Original: 或益之，十朋之龟弗克违，元吉。
Nine at the Top上九
"If one increases him without depriving oneself, there is no blame. Perseverance brings good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something. One obtains servants but no longer has a separate home."
Helping the world without self-interest brings universal support.
Original: 弗损益之，无咎，贞吉，利有攸往，得臣无家。