Annotated Book of Changes · Hexagram 42

yi2

Increase

See also: Wilhelm commentary for Hexagram 42

Hexagram Statement

卦辭

經 Classic Text

益震下巽上 益,利有攸往,利涉大川。

Translation

Yi (Increase), Zhen below, Xun above.

Increase. It is beneficial to have somewhere to go. It is beneficial to cross the great river.

疏 Kong Yingda's Subcommentary

正義曰:益者,增足之名,損上益下,故謂之益。下已有矣,而上更益之,明聖人利物之无已也。損卦則損下益上,益卦則損上益下,得名皆就下而不據上者,向秀云:「明王之道,志在惠下,故取下謂之損,與下謂之益。」既上行惠下之道,利益萬物,動而无違,何往不利,故曰「利有攸往」。以益涉難,理絕險阻,故曰「利涉大川」。

Translation

The Correct Meaning states: Yi (Increase) is the name for augmenting and making sufficient. It diminishes the upper to increase the lower, hence it is called Increase.

The lower already possesses something, and the upper further increases it, showing that the sage's benefiting of things is without end. The Sun (Decrease) hexagram diminishes the lower to increase the upper; the Yi (Increase) hexagram diminishes the upper to increase the lower.

That both hexagrams derive their names from the perspective of the lower rather than the upper is because, as Xiang Xiu said: 'The Way of the enlightened king has its aspiration in bestowing kindness upon those below.

' Since the upper carries out the Way of bestowing kindness upon the lower, benefiting all things, moving without opposition—where could one go that would not be beneficial? '

Unlock Full Scholarly Text

Verify your email to access the complete bilingual translation. We'll send you a one-click verification link.

Free access. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Source: eee-learning.com (易學網) · Edition: 武英殿十三經注疏