Hexagram 41
損 Sǔn
Decrease
艮
Gen — Keeping Still
Mountain · Youngest Son
兌
Dui — Joyous
Lake · Youngest Daughter
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.
At the foot of the mountain, the lake: the image of Decrease. Thus the superior person controls anger and restrains the instincts.
Going quickly when one's tasks are finished is without blame. But one must reflect on how much one may decrease others.
Perseverance furthers. To undertake something brings misfortune. Without decreasing oneself, one is able to bring increase to others.
When three people journey together, their number decreases by one. When one person journeys alone, they find a companion.
If one decreases one's faults, it makes the other hasten to come and rejoice. No blame.
Someone does indeed increase them. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Supreme good fortune.
If one is increased without depriving others, there is no blame. Perseverance brings good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something. One obtains servants but no longer has a separate home.