I-Ching Hexagram 41
損 Decrease
Also known as Giving Up
Willing reduction — giving something up for a greater good. The hexagram praises sincere simplification, modest offerings made with genuine intent, and the inner disciplines that master passion and appetite.
decrease · sacrifice · simplification
The Story
A merchant who had grown rich noticed he was also becoming miserly, sharp with his servants, anxious in his sleep. He sold three of his four shops, gave half the proceeds to his temple, and kept only what he could oversee himself. His income fell. His sleep improved. Competitors laughed, then noticed the loyalty of his remaining staff and the quality of his remaining goods. In ten years he was wealthier than before, and calmer. To decrease is not to lose. It is to release what was carrying you away from yourself, so the essential can breathe again.
The Judgment
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? Two small bowls may be used for the sacrifice.
The Image
At the foot of the mountain, the lake: the image of decrease. Thus the superior person controls their anger and restrains their instincts.
Interpretation
Willing reduction — giving something up for a greater good. The hexagram praises sincere simplification, modest offerings made with genuine intent, and the inner disciplines that master passion and appetite. Small, sincere acts outweigh large, empty ones.
Trigrams
The Six Lines
- First (Bottom) Going quickly when one's tasks are finished is without blame. But one must reflect on how much one may decrease others. Finish the job and help the next one, but without draining anyone.
- Second Perseverance furthers. To undertake something brings misfortune. Without decreasing oneself, one is able to bring increase to others. Stay the course; over-giving harms both parties.
- Third When three people journey together, their number decreases by one. When one walks alone, he finds a companion. A group too large loses a member; a solitary finds a partner — the right scale matters.
- Fourth If a person decreases their faults, it makes the other hasten to come and rejoice. No blame. Working on oneself accelerates reconciliation with others.
- Fifth Someone does indeed increase him. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Supreme good fortune. An undeniable blessing arrives from above; cannot be refused.
- Sixth (Top) 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. Growing without taking from others; one grows into a wider responsibility.