Hexagram 42 · ䷩
Sacrifice on the part of those above for the increase of those below fills the people with a sense of joy and gratitude that is extremely valuable for the flowe...
The idea of increase is expressed in the fact that the strong lowest line of the upper trigram has sunk down and taken its place under the lower trigram. This conception also expresses the fundamental idea on which the Book of Changes is based. To rule truly is to serve. A sacrifice of the higher element that produces an increase of the lower is called an out-and-out increase: it indicates the spirit that alone has power to help the world.
INCREASE. It furthers one To undertake something. It furthers one to cross the great water.
Sacrifice on the part of those above for the increase of those below fills the people with a sense of joy and gratitude that is extremely valuable for the flowering of the commonwealth. When people are thus devoted to their leaders, undertakings are possible, and even difficult and dangerous enterprises will succeed. Therefore in such times of progress and successful development it is necessary to work and make the best use of the time. This time resembles that of the marriage of heaven and earth, when the earth partakes of the creative power of heaven, forming and bringing forth living beings. The time of INCREASE does not endure, therefore it must be utilized while it lasts.
Increase means decreasing the upper to increase the lower; the joy of the people knows no bounds. From above, giving to those below: the way is greatly illuminated. It furthers to have somewhere to go, because the middle is correct and brings celebration. It furthers to cross the great water, because the way of wood creates movement. Increase creates movement and gentleness, daily progress without limit. Heaven bestows, earth produces; the increase has no direction. All ways of increase go together with the time.
Increase means diminishing above to increase below; the joy of the people knows no bounds. From above, giving to those below, the way becomes greatly luminous. It is favorable to have somewhere to go because the middle is correct and brings blessing. It is favorable to cross the great river because the way of wood makes passage. Increase joins movement with gentleness and advances daily without limit. Heaven bestows, earth gives birth; the way of increase accords with the times.
Wind and thunder: the image of INCREASE. Thus the superior man: If he sees good, he imitates it; If he has faults, he rids himself of them.
While observing how thunder and wind increase and strengthen each other, a man can note the way to self-increase and self-improvement. When he discovers good in others, he should imitate it and thus make everything on earth his own. If he perceives something bad in himself, let him rid himself of it. In this way he becomes free of evil. This ethical change represents the most important increase of personality.
It furthers one to accomplish great deeds. Supreme good fortune. No blame.
If great help comes to a man from on high, this increased strength must be used to achieve something great for which he might otherwise never have found energy, or readiness to take responsibility. Great good fortune is produced by selflessness, and in bringing about great good fortune, he remains free of reproach.
Small Image
It furthers to undertake great works: the lower does not burden the upper too heavily.
Undertaking great works means the lower does not burden the upper too heavily.
Someone does indeed increase him; Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Constant perseverance brings good fortune. The king presents him before God. Good fortune.
A man brings about real increase by producing in himself the conditions for it, that is, through receptivity to and love of the good. Thus the thing for which he strives comes of itself, with the inevitability of natural law. Where increase is thus in harmony with the highest laws of the universe, it cannot be prevented by any constellation of accidents. But everything depends on his not letting unexpected good fortune make him heedless; he must make it his own through inner strength and steadfastness. Then he acquires meaning before God and man, and can accomplish something for the good of the world.
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Someone increases him: it comes from outside.
Someone increases him—it comes from outside.
One is enriched through unfortunate events. No blame, if you are sincere And walk in the middle, And report with a seal to the prince.
A time of blessing and enrichment has such powerful effects that even events ordinarily unfortunate must turn out to the advantage of those affected by them. These persons become free of error, and by acting in harmony with truth they gain such inner authority that they exert influence as if sanctioned by letter and seal.
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One is increased through misfortune: he has acquired it.
Increase through misfortune means he has acquired virtue.
If you walk in the middle And report to the prince, He will follow. It furthers one to be used In the removal of the capital.
It is important that there should be men who mediate between leaders and followers. These should be disinterested people, especially in times of increase, since the benefit is to spread from the leader to the people. Nothing of this benefit should be held back in a selfish way; it should really reach those for whom it is intended. This sort of intermediary, who also exercises a good influence on the leader, is especially important in times when it is a matter of great undertakings, decisive for the future and requiring the inner assent of all concerned.
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He informs the prince, who follows: his will is thereby strengthened.
Informing the prince strengthens his will.
If in truth you have a kind heart, ask not. Supreme good fortune. Truly, kindness will be recognized as your virtue.
True kindness does not count upon nor ask about merit and gratitude but acts from inner necessity. And such a truly kind heart finds itself rewarded in being recognized, and thus the beneficent influence will spread unhindered.
Small Image
Do not ask about the outcome: the increase goes to his heart. Sincerity and a heart devoted to others: his aspirations are realized to a great extent.
Not asking about outcome means increase goes to the heart; aspirations are realized.
He brings increase to no one. Indeed, someone even strikes him. He does not keep his heart constantly steady. Misfortune.
The meaning here is that through renunciation those in high place should bring increase to those below. By neglecting this duty and helping no one, they in turn lose the furthering influence of others and soon find themselves alone. In this way they invite attacks. An attitude not permanently in harmony with the demands of the time will necessarily bring misfortune with it. Confucius says about this line: “The superior man sets his person at rest before he moves; he composes his mind before he speaks; he makes his relations firm before he asks for something. By attending to these three matters, the superior man gains complete security. But if a man is brusque in his movements, others will not co-operate. If he is agitated in his words, they awaken no echo in others. If he asks for something without having first established relations, it will not be given to him. If no one is with him, those who would harm him draw near.”
Small Image
He does not increase anyone: his words are one-sided. Perhaps someone strikes him: this comes from outside.
Not increasing anyone shows one-sided words; being struck comes from outside.
What does I / Increase mean in the I Ching?
Sacrifice on the part of those above for the increase of those below fills the people with a sense of joy and gratitude that is extremely valuable for the flowe...
How should I study Hexagram 42 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. If great help comes to a man from on high, this increased strength must be used to achieve something great for which he might otherwise never have found energy, or readiness to tak...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
Increase means diminishing above to increase below; the joy of the people knows no bounds. From above, giving to those below, the way becomes greatly luminous. It is favorable to have somewhere to go because the middle i...
Primary text: Zhouyi / I Ching, including the Judgment, Image, line texts, and related commentaries.
Translation basis: public-domain and modern study references, with AI used only as a learning aid.
Zhouyi / I Ching primary text: The received text of the Book of Changes, including the Judgment, Image, and line statements.
The I Ching or Book of Changes, Richard Wilhelm / Cary F. Baynes: Princeton University Press translation used as a major English-language reference point for names, structure, and commentary framing.
The Sacred Books of China: The Texts of Confucianism, James Legge: Classical English reference used for comparative reading of source terminology and commentarial tradition.
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