損
Decrease
La Diminution
Sǔn
Upper trigram
Mountain
Lower trigram
Lake
The Judgment
Decrease coupled with sincerity brings sublime good fortune without blame. One can be persevering in this. It is advantageous to undertake something.
The Image
At the foot of the mountain is the lake: the image of Decrease. Thus the superior person controls their anger and restrains their instincts.
Meaning
Reduction, sacrifice, simplification. To diminish the superfluous to nourish the essential. The moment invites voluntary stripping away.
The six lines
Line 1 (bottom)
To go quickly when the work is finished is without blame. But one must reflect on how much one can decrease.
Line 2
Perseverance is advantageous. To undertake something brings misfortune. Without decreasing oneself, one is capable of bringing increase to others.
Line 3
When three persons walk together, their number decreases by one. When one person walks alone, they find a companion.
Line 4
If a person decreases their faults, they cause the other to rejoice. No blame.
Line 5
Someone certainly enriches them. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Sublime good fortune.
Line 6 (top)
If one is increased without others being decreased, there is no blame. Perseverance brings good fortune. It is advantageous to undertake something. One obtains servants but no longer has a separate dwelling.