HEXAGRAM 15 OF 64 EARTH OVER MOUNTAIN

MODESTY

謙 Qiān

modesty, humility, evenhandedness, quiet merit, balance

ROASTIE

Modesty. A mountain hiding inside the earth. Quiet merit, carrying things through, humility. The book's favorite virtue and the only one you've never been accused of. You've told four people about the thing you did modestly. You'll tell a fifth tonight. Ya roasted!

THE JUDGMENT

Success. The superior man carries things through to the end.

THE LINES, BOTTOM TO TOP

Line 1 The superior man, modest about his modesty, may cross the great river; good fortune.
Line 2 Modesty that expresses itself and is recognized; staying firm brings good fortune.
Line 3 The superior man of real merit who stays modest; good fortune to the end.
Line 4 Nothing that does not profit, when modesty is shown in every movement.
Line 5 Not boasting of wealth before the neighbors; it is right to attack with force; nothing fails to profit.
Line 6 Modesty that speaks out; it is right to march the army against one's own city and states.

THROW YOUR OWN ALL SIXTY-FOUR

Text: the I Ching, after James Legge's 1882 translation, public domain, trimmed into plain English. The take: a coffee bean, licensed in nothing.