The Story

A ruler inherited an unlooted treasury and three wise ministers. He might have built a palace the size of a city. Instead, he repaired the roads, endowed the schools, and stocked provincial granaries. When asked why he kept the throne room modest, he said: "What I possess is the chance to make much of this into something larger than me. A palace would shrink it to a monument." Long after his death, the roads still carried trade and the granaries had fed the province through three famines. To hold much is nothing; to direct much well is sovereignty.

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The Judgment

Supreme success.

The Image

Fire in heaven above: the image of possession in great measure. Thus the superior person curbs evil and furthers good, and thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven.

Interpretation

Clarity above creative strength — a time of visible abundance. The hexagram is about stewardship more than acquisition: use what you have to advance the good and restrain the bad. Wealth rightly held magnifies; hoarded, it spoils.

Trigrams

The Six Lines

1. First (Bottom) No relationship with what is harmful. There is no blame in this. If one remains conscious of difficulty, one remains without blame. Stay clear of compromising ties; vigilance guards the gain.
2. Second A big wagon for loading. One may undertake something. No blame. Real capacity invites use; do not idle at the peak.
3. Third A prince offers it to the Son of Heaven. A petty person cannot do this. What one has is offered to the highest purpose; the mean-spirited cannot.
4. Fourth He makes a difference between himself and his neighbour. No blame. Keep one's own character distinct; do not be drawn into flashy competition.
5. Fifth His truth is accessible, yet dignified. Good fortune. Openness without slackness; authority without hauteur.
6. Sixth (Top) He is blessed by heaven. Good fortune. Nothing that does not further. The peak of the hexagram — humility in plenty brings blessing.