41. Sun | Decrease
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
损：有孚，元吉，无咎，可贞，利有攸往。曷之用二簋，可用享。
English translation
Sun / Decrease: With sincerity there is great good fortune and no blame. One should stand firm, and it is proper to go forward where needed. Two vessels may be used for offering.
This is the judgment of Sun (Decrease), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “having somewhere to go” means forward action is fitting; “sincerity” points to trustworthiness and inner confidence; “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
Original Chinese text
初九：已事遄往，无咎，酌损之。
English translation
First Nine: What is already in motion should move quickly. There is no blame if one reduces in proper measure.
The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
Original Chinese text
九二：利贞，征凶。弗损，益之。
English translation
Second Nine: Steadfastness is advisable, but advancing is dangerous. Do not reduce; instead, increase.
The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “misfortune” marks serious risk.
Original Chinese text
六三：三人行则损一人，一人行则得其友。
English translation
Third Six: When three go together, one is lost; when one goes alone, one finds a friend.
The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
Original Chinese text
六四：损其疾，使遄有喜，无咎。
English translation
Fourth Six: Reduce what is ill, and speed brings joy; there is no blame.
The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
Original Chinese text
六五：或益之十朋之龟，弗克违，元吉。
English translation
Fifth Six: One may add with the ten-coin tortoise gift, and it cannot be refused; this is supreme auspiciousness.
The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
Original Chinese text
上九：弗损，益之，无咎，贞吉。利有攸往。得臣无家。
English translation
Top Nine: Do not reduce, but increase. There is no blame and steadiness is auspicious. It is fitting to go about, gaining followers who have no fixed household.
The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “having somewhere to go” means forward action is fitting; “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.