Hexagram 41 · Sǔn (损) · Decrease

損：有孚，元吉。无咎，可貞，利有攸往。曷之用？二簋可用享。

In (what is denoted by) Sun, if there be sincerity (in him who employs it), there will be great good fortune:—freedom from error; firmness and correctness that can be maintained; and advantage in every movement that shall be made. In what shall this (sincerity in the exercise of Sun) be employed? (Even) in sacrifice two baskets of grain, (though there be nothing else), may be presented.

初九：已事遄往，无咎，酌損之。

The first line, undivided, shows its subject suspending his own affairs, and hurrying away (to help the subject of the fourth line). He will commit no error, but let him consider how far he should contribute of what is his (for the other).

九二：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.

六三：三人行，則損一人；一人行，則得其友。

The third line, divided, shows how of three men walking together, the number is diminished by one; and how one, walking, finds his friend.

六四：損其疾，使遄有喜，无咎。

The fourth line, divided, shows its subject diminishing the ailment under which he labours by making (the subject of the first line) hasten (to his help), and make him glad. There will be no error.

六五：或益之，十朋之龜弗克違，元吉。

The fifth line, divided, shows parties adding to (the stores of) its subject ten pairs of tortoise shells, and accepting no refusal. There will be great good fortune.

上九：弗損益之，无咎，貞吉，利有攸往，得臣无家。

The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject giving increase to others without taking from himself. There will be no error. With firm correctness there will be good fortune. There will be advantage in every movement that shall be made. He will find ministers more than can be counted by their clans.