Hexagram 42

益 Yì

Increase

☴ Wind above ☳ Thunder

Judgment 卦辭

利有攸往。利涉大川。

益yìincrease, expand, gain, add, augment (ing)

利lìworth(while), reward(ing), benefit(icial)

有yǒu(to) have, find, take on; (if) there is

攸yōusomewhere; (a) place, direction, purpose

往wǎngto go, move towards; in going; ahead

利lì(it is) worthwhile, rewarding, favorable

涉shèto cross, ford, ferry, venture, experience

大dà(the) great, big, major

川chuānstream, river, current, water (s)

Commentary

It furthers one to undertake something. It furthers one to cross the great water. Sacrifice from those above for the increase of those below fills the people with joy and gratitude. When people are devoted to their leaders, even difficult and dangerous enterprises succeed. This time resembles the marriage of heaven and earth. The time of Increase does not endure—it must be utilized while it lasts.

Classical Text

益震下巽上益，利有攸往，利涉大川。

Yi (Increase), Zhen below, Xun above. Increase. It is beneficial to have somewhere to go. It is beneficial to cross the great river.

Image 象

風雷，益。君子以見善則遷，有過則改。

Wind and thunder increase and strengthen each other. See good in others—imitate it. Perceive something bad in yourself—rid yourself of it. This ethical change represents the most important increase of personality.

Lines 爻辭

利用為大作元吉無咎

利lìworthwhile

用yòng(to be) applied? practiced? carried out?

為wéi(to) effect, accomplish, manifest, develop

大dàgreat, big, major

作zuòworks; v (of wood)

元yuánmost, supremely; excellent, outstanding

吉jípromising, fortunate; promise, opportunity

無wúno; nothing; (this is) not; without, with no

咎jiùblame; (is) wrong; (a) mistake, (an) error (s)

It furthers one to accomplish great deeds. Supreme good fortune. No blame. Great help comes from above. This increased strength must be used for something great that you otherwise wouldn't have had the energy or readiness for. Selflessness produces great good fortune.

Classical commentary

初九，利用為大作，元吉无咎。

Initial Nine. It is beneficial to undertake great works. Sublimely auspicious, no blame.

或益之十朋之龜弗克違永貞吉王用享于帝吉

或huòsomebody, someone

益yìincreases, augments, grants, adds

之zhī(to) (this) one, him, her; this

十shí(by) ten

朋péng(matched) pairs

之zhīof

龜guītortoise, turtle (s) (shells)

弗fú(one) (is) not; un-; in-; -not

克kèable; possible; capable; can- v

違wéi(of, to) resist; refuse; oppose, offend (ing)

永yǒngeverlasting; ever-, always; constant, enduring

貞zhēnpersistence, determination, resolve, focus

吉jí(is) promising, auspicious, opportune, timely

王wáng(a, the, when) sovereign, king, ruler

用yòngapplies; takes, makes, uses, practices

享xiǎng(the) offering, sacrifice

于yúto, unto, before, in the presence of

帝dìgod; (the) ruler of heaven, supreme being

吉jípromising, auspicious, opportune, timely

Someone indeed increases you. Ten pairs of tortoise shells cannot oppose it. Constant persistence brings good fortune. You bring about real increase by producing in yourself the conditions for it—receptivity to and love of the good. Where increase is in harmony with the highest laws, no accidents can prevent it. Don't let good fortune make you heedless.

Classical commentary

六二，或益之十朋之龜，弗克違，永貞吉。王用享于帝，吉。

Six in the Second. Someone increases it with a tortoise worth ten strings of cowries; one cannot refuse. Perpetual correctness brings good fortune. The king makes offerings to the Supreme Deity—auspicious.

益之用凶事無咎有孚中行告公用圭

益yìincrease(ing)

之zhīis that of; is in, on, with, by

用yòng(the) way, course, path, nature, process

凶xiōngill-omened, inauspicious, calamitous; dire

事shìevents, incidents, happenings, misfortunes

無wúno; nothing; (this is) not; without, with no

咎jiùblame; (is) wrong; (a) mistake, (an) error

有yǒu(if, when) having; (when) there is

孚fúsincerity, fidelity, integrity; faith, trust

中zhōng(the) central; concentration, balance(d)

行xíngconduct, behavior, comportment; practices

告gàoannounce, report, inform, communicate

公gōng(to the) prince, noble, authority, lord

用yòng(one) uses, presents, offers, employs

圭guī(a) jade tablet; (the) seal of office, symbol

Enriched through unfortunate events. No blame, if you are sincere and walk in the middle. A time of blessing has such power that even ordinarily unfortunate events turn to your advantage. Acting in harmony with truth, you gain inner authority as if sanctioned by letter and seal.

Classical commentary

六三，益之用凶事，无咎。有孚，中行，告公用圭。

Six in the Third. One is increased through the use of calamitous events—no blame. With sincerity and balanced conduct, one reports to the duke using a jade tablet.

中行告公從利用為依遷國

中zhōng(the) central; concentration, balance(d)

行xíngconduct, behavior, comportment; practices

告gàoannounce, report, inform, communicate

公gōng(to the) prince, noble, authority, lord

從cóng(who) follows, complies, acts upon (it)

利lìworthwhile, rewarding, productive

用yòng(to be) applied, practiced, carried out

為wéi(to) effect, accomplish, manifest, develop

依yīa mainstay, support; reliance, dependence

遷qiān(in) moving, relocating, transferring

國guó(the) nation, country, state, domain, territory

Walking in the middle and reporting to the prince, who follows. It furthers one to be used in the removal of the capital. Disinterested people must mediate between leaders and followers. Nothing should be held back selfishly—it must reach those for whom it's intended. Essential in times of great undertakings requiring everyone's inner assent.

Classical commentary

六四，中行，告公從，利用為依遷國。

Six in the Fourth. With balanced conduct, one reports to the duke, and he complies. It is beneficial to serve as support in relocating the capital.

有孚惠心勿問元吉有孚惠我德

有yǒu(if, when) having; (when) there is

孚fúsincerity, fidelity, integrity; faith, trust

惠huì(and a) kind(ly), benevolent, gracious

心xīnheart, spirit; intentions, disposition

勿wùnot at all; not to be; do not

問wènquestion, inquire; doubt, challenge

元yuánmost, supremely; excellent, outstanding

吉jípromising, fortunate; promise, opportunity

有yǒu(there is, will be) having

孚fúsincerity, fidelity, integrity; faith, trust

惠huìkind(ness), benevolent, gracious; favor(ing)

我wǒmy, mine; me, ourselves, us

德dévirtue, character, merit, integrity, spirit

If in truth you have a kind heart, ask not. Supreme good fortune. Truly, kindness will be recognized as your virtue. True kindness doesn't count on merit or gratitude but acts from inner necessity. Such a heart finds itself rewarded in being recognized.

Classical commentary

九五，有孚惠心，勿問元吉。有孚，惠我德。

Nine in the Fifth. With sincerity and a benevolent heart, do not ask—sublimely auspicious. With sincerity, others reciprocate kindness to my virtue.

莫益之或擊之立心勿恆凶

莫mòno one, none, nobody; nothing

益yìincreases, augments, grants, adds

之zhīthis, this one; him, her

或huòsome, someone; perhaps, maybe

擊jīstrike(s), hit(s), attack(s), assault(s)

之zhīthis, this one; him, her

立lì(to) establish, found; position, stance

心xīnheart, spirit; intentions, disposition

勿wùnot at all; not to be; do not; avoid

恆héngconstancy, steadfastness, perseverance

凶xiōng(is) ill-omened, inauspicious; has pitfalls

He brings increase to no one. Indeed, someone even strikes him. His heart is not constantly steady. Misfortune. Those in high places should bring increase to those below. Neglecting this duty loses you the support of others. You find yourself alone, inviting attack. Brusqueness in movements, agitation in words—if no one is with you, those who would harm you draw near.

Classical commentary

上九，莫益之，或擊之，立心勿恒，凶。

Top Nine. No one increases it; some strike at it. One who sets the heart without constancy—misfortune.