above LI THE CLINGING, FLAME below CH’IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
The fire in heaven above shines far, and all things stand out in the light and become manifest. The weak fifth line occupies the place of honor and all the strong lines are in accord with it.
All things come to one who is modest and kind in a high position.
THE JUDGMENT
POSSESSION IN GREAT MEASURE. Supreme success.
The two trigrams indicate that strength and clarity unite. Possession in great measure is determined by fate and accords with the time. How is it possible that the weak line has power to hold the strong lines fast and to possess them? It is done by virtue of unselfish modesty. The time is favorable–a time of strength within, clarity and culture without. Power is expressing itself in a graceful and controlled way. This brings supreme success and wealth.
THE IMAGE
Fire in heaven above: the image of POSSESSION IN GREAT MEASURE. Thus the superior one curbs evil and furthers good, And thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven.
The sun in heaven above, shedding light over everything one earth, is the image of possession on a grand scale. But a possession of this sort must be administered properly. The sun brings both evil and good into the light of day. One must combat and curb the evil, and must favor and promote the good. Only in this way does one fulfill the benevolent will of God, who desires only good and not evil.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means: No relationship with what is harmful; There is no blame in this. If one remains conscious of difficulty, one remains without blame.
Great possession that is still in its beginnings and that has not yet been challenged brings no blame, since there has been no opportunity to make mistakes. Yet there are many difficulties to be overcome. It is only by remaining conscious of theses difficulties that one can keep inwardly free of possible arrogance and wastefulness, and thus in principle overcome all cause for blame.
Nine in the second place means: A big wagon for loading. one may undertake something. No blame.
Great possession consists not only in the quantity of goods at one’s disposal, but first and foremost, in their mobility and utility, for then they can be used in undertakings, and we remain free of embarrassment and mistakes. The big wagon, which will carry a heavy load and in which one can journey far means that there are at hand able helpers who give their support and are equal to their task. One can load great responsibility upon such persons, and this is necessary in important undertakings.
Nine in the third place means: A prince offers it to the Son of Heaven. A petty person cannot do this.
A magnanimous, liberal-minded person should not regard what they possesses as their exclusive personal property , but should place it at the disposal of the ruler or of the people at large. In so doing, they take the right attitude toward their possession, which as private property can never endure. A petty person is incapable of this. They are harmed by great possessions, because instead of sacrificing them, they would keep them for themselves.
Nine in the fourth place means: One makes a difference Between oneself and one’s neighbor. No blame.
This characterizes the position of one placed among rich and powerful neighbors. It is a dangerous position. One must look neither to the right nor to the left, and must shun envy and the temptation to vie with others. In this way one remains free of mistakes.
°Six in the fifth place means: One whose truth is accessible, yet dignified, Has good fortune.
The situation is very favorable. People are being won not by coercion but by unaffected sincerity, so that they are attached to us in sincerity and truth. However, benevolence alone is not sufficient at the time of POSSESSION IN GREAT MEASURE for insolence might begin to spread. Insolence must be kept in bounds by dignity; then good fortune is assured.
Nine at the top means: One is blessed by heaven. Good fortune. Nothing that does not further.
In the fullness of possession and at the height of power, one remains modest and gives honor to the sage who stands outside the affairs of the world. By this means one puts oneself under the beneficent influence descending from heaven, and all goes well.
Confucius says of this line: To bless means to help. Heaven helps one who is devoted; others help the one who is true. One who walks in truth and is devoted in one’s thinking, and furthermore reveres the worthy, is blessed by heaven. One has good fortune, and there is nothing that would not further.
