Hexagram 15 · Line 6
Modesty — 上六
Qian Humility · Shang Liu
The Line
Modesty that comes to expression. It is favorable to set armies marching to chastise one's own city and one's own country.
Interpretation
Whoever is truly serious about their modesty must take care that it show itself in reality. They must proceed with great energy. When hostility arises, nothing is easier than to look for the fault in the other. A weak person perhaps withdraws into themself, offended, has self-pity, and takes it for modesty that they do not defend themself. Real modesty shows itself in setting forcefully about creating order, and beginning the chastisement with one's own ego and the closest circle. Only thus is something truly forceful accomplished, in that one has the courage to let one's armies march against oneself.