Hexagram 41, line 2
九二Line 2 of Diminishing
Nine in the second place · 損 sǔn
爻辭 The line text
利貞，征凶，弗損，益之。The second line, undivided, shows that it will be advantageous for its subject to maintain a firm correctness, and that action on his part will be evil. He can give increase (to his correlate) without taking from himself.
九二利貞，中以為志也。'It will be advantageous for (the subject of) the second line, undivided, to maintain his firm correctness:'—his central position gives its character to his aim.
In plain words
Line two is told to stay firm and correct, that going forward would be bad, and that it 'does not diminish itself, yet increases' the other (弗損益之). It is yang in the central place of Dui and corresponds to the ruler at five, so the pull to go up and offer itself is strong. The small Image answers: its aim is set by the centre (中以為志也). A central line serves best by staying what it is; a strong line that bends itself to please a weak ruler diminishes exactly the quality the ruler needs. Cheng Yi reads it as the rule for anyone serving a superior — loyalty that keeps its own integrity.
If this line is changing
The most useful thing you can give is your steadiness; do not rush to prove devotion by sacrificing the very judgement they rely on.
Where the line stands
- A solid line, yang — written 九 (nine), the number of an old yang line that moves when cast.
- It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.
- It is central (中): the middle line of its trigram, the position the commentaries read as balanced and most favourable.
- It belongs to the lower trigram 兌 Dui (the Joyous) (lake).
- It corresponds (應) with line 5: one yin and one yang, the two lines answer each other across the hexagram.
之卦 When this line moves
損 Diminishing becomes ䷚ 27 頤 Jaws / Nourishment
Thunder at the foot of the mountain, in the shape of open jaws: nourishment. Correct nourishing brings good fortune — watch what you feed yourself and others, and what comes out of your mouth.
What it becomes27 · 頤 Jaws / NourishmentyíThe six lines of 損 Diminishing
- 初九Nine at the beginningdrop your own business · hurry to help · measure the gift
- 九二Nine in the second placehold the centre · do not go · give without loss
- 六三Six in the third placethree become two · one finds a friend · doubt in a crowd
- 六四Six in the fourth placelessen the fault · accept help quickly · joy
- 六五Six in the fifth placegifts that cannot be refused · the oracle agrees · blessed from above
- 上九Nine at the topincrease without taking · beyond decrease · followers without a house
Read 損 Diminishing for a question about
Questions about this line
- What does Nine in the second place of hexagram 41, Diminishing, mean?
- Line two is told to stay firm and correct, that going forward would be bad, and that it 'does not diminish itself, yet increases' the other (弗損益之). It is yang in the central place of Dui and corresponds to the ruler at five, so the pull to go up and offer itself is strong. The small Image answers: its aim is set by the centre (中以為志也). A central line serves best by staying what it is; a strong line that bends itself to please a weak ruler diminishes exactly the quality the ruler needs. Cheng Yi reads it as the rule for anyone serving a superior — loyalty that keeps its own integrity.
- What does hexagram 41 become when line 2 changes?
- Diminishing becomes hexagram 27, 頤 Jaws / Nourishment: Thunder at the foot of the mountain, in the shape of open jaws: nourishment. Correct nourishing brings good fortune — watch what you feed yourself and others, and what comes out of your mouth.
- Is line 2 of Diminishing in its correct place?
- It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning. It is central (中): the middle line of its trigram, the position the commentaries read as balanced and most favourable.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).