#15謙 Humility
Humility has an Earth trigram on top of a Mountain trigram. Because the mountain is under the earth. You cannot see it. You cannot destroy it either. One has to dig to discover the beauty underneath. This is humility, modesty, or meekness.
There is strength and ability within but it does show off on the exterior. If one has nothing within and therefore has nothing to show for it then one does not have humility but only emptiness and one needs to learn. A humble person will, on the exterior, behave like one without ability, and is always respecting others and learning from others irrespective of their age, position, or education.
This hexagram has “good fortune” for all its six-stage lines. Practicing it will bring good success in all situations. If we can only remember the wisdom of one of the hexagrams, then this is the one to remember. It will bring you success at all times.
Description:
- 亨，君子有终: Smooth flowing or progress without obstruction; Wise men accomplish and end well.
Textual Commentary:
彖曰：谦，亨，天道下济而光明，地道卑而上行。天道亏盈而益谦，地道变盈而流谦，鬼神害盈而福谦，人道恶盈而好谦。谦尊而光，卑而不可逾，君子之终也。
All is smooth flowing. The Way of Heaven is to flow down to support life and to give light and brightness. The Way of the Earth is supporting life to grow up from the low. The Heavenly Law is taken from the full and added to the humble. The Earthly Law is to block the full and free the humble. The spirits harm the full and reward the humble. The Way of Men is to hate the full and the humble. When Humility holds the position of honor, it makes things brighter and better. When it occupies a low position, others do not surpass them. This is why wise men holding to humility can accomplish and finish well.
Pictorial Commentary: 象曰：地中有山，谦；君子以裒多益寡，称物平施。
A Mountain within the Earth is called Humility. Wise men reduce excesses to add to the insufficient. They measure things and make them equal.
Moral Teachings:
The pre-qualifications for humility are:
- Have it – the capability， resources, accomplishments, and authority.
- Don’t Show or Talk about it
The most common error is to boast about it. We can also be boastful and proud by not talking and yet showing it through the way we treat others such as by ignoring them. - Use it – when needed
The three must co-exist at the same time to make for true humility. If one does not ‘have the ability or the resources” then there is nothing to be humble about. If one ‘has it and yet ‘shows it, then one is just showing off and not having humility. If one ‘has it’, ‘doesn’t show it’, and when the situation calls for it, the humble person will come out and do the job or give the resources that he has. Having it and running away when the time calls for it is not humility as well. It is irresponsibility. When one has it one also has the obligation to use it. The need to use one’s ability and resources to make the world a better place is clearly taught in the above commentaries.
For a beginner, we don’t have it (ability & resources) and so must learn and acquire it. We must refrain from showing it when we possess some of it. We must watch the development around us and use it when the situation calls for it.
Saying we don’t have it while we are having it, a typical Chinese way of speaking is not humility but lying. Are we trying to run away from our obligation to the community? A truly wise man will come out and do it when he has the ability. I-Ching teaching is about following the ‘right way’ and will sometimes mean sacrificing oneself for the benefit of the larger community.
Stage 1 Begin Six: Wise men be humble to develop humility. It is for crossing large rivers. Good fortune. 谦谦君子，用涉大川，吉。
The pictorial commentary says that humility is self-developed from the ground up. 象曰：谦谦君子，卑以自牧也。
Humility is a character trait that can be and must be developed. We have to desire it and develop it. It is developed from the ground up. There is no shortcut. Once we have a strong foundation of humility – capability, and no-show-off which also means being watchful and careful, then we accomplish great tasks. Humility has integrity as its cover as well. We shall have great success.
Stage 2 Second Six: Humility is demonstrated (literally: sounded). It is integrity and brings good fortune and success. 鸣谦，贞吉。
The pictorial commentary adds that it is truthful and good because the central core is rightly developed. 鸣谦贞吉，中心得也。
Your humility is noticed by others. It is like your humility speaks out. In fact, it is in your speech and your actions that like others know that you are capable and yet do not boast about it. Your actions speak louder than your words.
Stage 3 Third Nine: Wise men work hard to accomplish much but claim no credit. It all ends well. 劳谦君子，有终吉。
Humility is not passive at all. It is busily doing things and never giving up halfway. It accomplishes successfully and yet does not brat about them nor claim credits for them. In fact, humble people are appreciative of the efforts of others and give them the right credit. It is great to serve under or with someone that is humble. Your opinions and your contributions will not be neglected. We can see how humble people draw others to them and work together for great success.
The pictorial commentary added that all the citizens are fully convinced and follow. 劳谦君子，万民服也。
It is no wonder that the Bible says “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Mat 5:5 ).
Stage 4 Fourth Six: All actions from humility will result in success and good fortune. 无不利，撝谦。
The pictorial commentary says success comes from not breaking the laws or principles. 无不利，撝谦；不违则也。
Our humility has grown. We are now in stage 4, the beginning of the Earth trigram. The Law of the Earth is love – give and give without demanding anything in return. Our growth and our well-being are the rewards that the Earth will be satisfied. We are encouraged to do more and set an example for others to follow. We give opportunities to the younger and others to show themselves. Help them to do well.
Stage 5 Fifth Six: Not rich, due to neighbors. Use force to attack and it will be successful. 不富，以其邻，利用侵伐，无不利。
Pictorial commentary gives the reasons for the attack. It is because the neighbors are rebellious, and not doing the right things. 利用侵伐，征不服也。
This is even more aggressive than the previous stage. In the previous stage, we do good things. In this stage, we are to remove bad things through our forceful actions!
Stage 6 Top Six: Promote humility. Use forces to chastise your own territories. 鸣谦，利用行师，征邑国。
The pictorial commentary adds that promoting humility is needed because the goal has not been achieved. It is not well spread in the territories under your control. 鸣谦，志未得也。 可用行师，征邑国也。
Summary:
Humility is made up of “have”, “don’t talk” and “use”. We must develop our abilities and build up our resources so that we can have them. Then we must, while not boasting about it, use it to do good things. It is not passive but quiet aggressive actions without drawing attention to self.
The stage lines give us additional wisdom as:
- develop humility
- let your action do the talking
- accomplished and yet don’t claim credit but give credit
- do more good things
- do corrective actions to remove bad things
- expand humility to others that they may have it too
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