15. 	Ch'ien
      	Modesty.

Upper Trigram: K'un; Passive Principle, Earth.
Lower Trigram: Ken; Inaction, a Mountain.

Governing Rulers: Nine in the third place.
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The Image:
The trigram for the earth, and that of a mountain in the midst of it; these form Ch'ien.
The superior man, in accordance with this, diminishes what is excessive in himself, and increases where there is any deficiency, bringing about an equality - according to the nature of the case - in his treatment of himself and others.
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Miscellaneous Signs:                                             (15)
Ch'ien, forsaking itself, accomplishes ease.
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The Judgement:
Ch'ien indicates progress and success. The superior man, being humble as it implies, will have a good issue to his undertakings.

Appended Judgement:
Ch'ien  shows us the handle of virtue in its giving honour to others, and the distinction thence arising.
Ch'ien appears in the regulation of ceremonies.
See also Ta Chuan, section II, chapter VII, §§ 2-4.

Commentary:
Ch'ien indicates progress and success. It is the way of heaven to send down its beneficial influences below, where they are brilliantly displayed. It is the way of the earth, lying low, to send its influences upward, and there to act.
It is the way of heaven to diminish the full and to augment the humble. It is the way of the earth to overthrow the full and replenish the humble.
Spiritual Beings inflict calamity on the full and bless the humble. It is the way of men to hate the full and love the humble. Modesty in a position of honour makes that more brilliant still; and in a low position men will not seek to pass beyond it. Thus it is that 'the superior man will have a good issue to his undertakings'.
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The Lines:

Six in the bottom place:
Showing the superior man adding modesty to modesty. Even the great stream may be crossed with this, and there will be good fortune.
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Six in the second place:
Showing modesty making itself recognized.
With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
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Nine in the third place:
 O
A superior man of acknowledged merit. He will maintain his success to the end, and have good fortune.
See also Ta Chuan, section I, chapter VIII, §8.
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Six in the fourth place:
Showing one whose action would be in every way advantageous, activating the more his modesty.
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Six in the fifth place:
Showing one who, without being rich, is able to employ his neighbours. He may advantageously use the force of arms.
All his movements will be advantageous.
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Top-most six:
Showing modesty that has made itself recognized. Its subject will with advantage put his armies in motion; but he will only punish his own towns and state.
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Commentaries:

Six in the bottom place:
'The superior man adding modesty to modesty', is one who nourishes his virtue in lowliness.
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Six in the second place:
The 'good fortune consequent on being firm and correct, where modesty makes itself recognized', is owing to the possessor's having the virtue in the core of his heart.
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Nine in the third place:
'The superior man of acknowledged merit, and yet humble': the myriads of people will submit to him.
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Six in the fourth place:
'One whose action would be in every way advantageous, activating the more his modesty': he does not act contrary to the rule.
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Six in the fifth place:
'He may advantageously use the force of arms': correcting those who do not submit.
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Top-most six:
'His modesty has made itself recognized'; but all his aims have not yet been attained: he may employ the force of arms, but 'only in correcting his own towns and state'.
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