Hexagram 41: Decrease
Outer trigram (upper)
Cấn
Mountain · Earth
Inner trigram (lower)
Đoài
Marsh · Metal
Judgment
損：有孚，元吉，无咎，可貞，利有攸往．曷之用？二簋可用享.
Translation
Decrease: with sincerity, great good fortune, no blame. One may hold to what is right, and it is favorable to have somewhere to go. What should be used for it? Even two simple bowls are enough for the offering.
Commentary
Above is Ken, the mountain; below is Tui, the lake. The mountain wears away at its own base to build up the lake beneath it — Decrease means taking from what is below to add to what is above, the lower giving up something so the upper may gain. Yet when the intent behind the giving is genuine, even a modest offering is enough; sincerity matters more than quantity.
Line Readings
Line 1 (yang)
初九：已事遄往，无咎，酌損之.
Translation
Once your own affairs are finished, hurry to help others — no blame, but give only as much as is fitting.
Commentary
Line 1 is yang and correctly placed, and it corresponds with line 4. Once you have settled your own business, go quickly to assist the one above — but help in proportion to your means, not by giving everything away.
Line 2 (yang)
九二：利貞，征凶，弗損益之.
Translation
It is favorable to hold to what is right; advancing brings misfortune. Do not diminish yourself — that is how you truly add to the whole.
Commentary
Line 2 is yang and centered. It should not press forward to assist line 5 — both are yang and do not naturally match. Staying put and holding firm to what is right, without giving away one's own strength, is itself the real contribution.
Line 3 (yin)
六三：三人行則損一人，一人行則得其友.
Translation
When three travel together, one must be let go; when one travels alone, a companion is found.
Commentary
Line 3 is yin. Three together — the three yang lines below — makes for a crowded, unbalanced group; reducing it by one restores a harmonious pair of yin and yang. Traveling alone, by contrast, one finds a true partner.
Line 4 (yin)
六四：損其疾，使遄，有喜，无咎.
Translation
Reduce your own flaws; act on it quickly and there is cause for joy, no blame.
Commentary
Line 4 is yin and correctly placed. With the help of line 1, yang, which corresponds to it, it manages to correct a weakness in itself, as if curing an illness — a welcome relief, and no fault.
Line 5 (yin)
六五：或益之十朋之龜，弗克違，元吉.
Translation
Someone offers a precious tortoise shell worth ten strings of cowries — it cannot be refused. Great good fortune.
Commentary
Line 5 is yin, centered, and holds the position of honor. Through its centered, upright character it draws valuable gifts from others without asking for them — good fortune arrives on its own.
Line 6 (yang)
上九：弗損益之，无咎，貞吉，利有攸往，得臣无家.
Translation
No longer taking but giving increase to others — no blame. Holding to what is right brings good fortune, it is favorable to have somewhere to go, and capable people come to serve without private motives.
Commentary
The top line, yang, has reached the summit of the hexagram: the time for taking from others has passed, and now it gives increase back. Talented people rally to it not out of self-interest but out of genuine loyalty — a good outcome.