# Hexagram 42 · Yì (益) · Increase

> **GuaCard #42 (Flow)**: A time to grow; help others and you grow too. / 成长的时候，帮助别人，你也在成长。

This hexagram signals increase and support, a favorable time to act and make changes. Learn from good examples and correct your mistakes when you see them. Helping others and sharing benefits tends to bring growth back to you as well.

_Editorial summary_

## Judgment

益：利有攸往。利涉大川。

Yî indicates that (in the state which it denotes) there will be advantage in every movement which shall be undertaken, that it will be advantageous (even) to cross the great stream.

## Line 1

初九：利用為大作，元吉，无咎。

The first line, undivided, shows that it will be advantageous for its subject in his position to make a great movement. If it be greatly fortunate, no blame will be imputed to him.

## Line 2

六二：或益之，十朋之龜弗克違，永貞吉。王用享于帝，吉。

The second line, divided, shows parties adding to the stores of its subject ten pairs of tortoise shells whose oracles cannot be opposed. Let him persevere in being firm and correct, and there will be good fortune. Let the king, (having the virtues thus distinguished), employ them in presenting his offerings to God, and there will be good fortune.

## Line 3

六三：益之用凶事，无咎。有孚中行，告公用圭。

The third line, divided, shows increase given to its subject by means of what is evil, so that he shall (be led to good), and be without blame. Let him be sincere and pursue the path of the Mean, (so shall he secure the recognition of the ruler, like) an officer who announces himself to his prince by the symbol of his rank.

## Line 4

六四：中行，告公從。利用為依遷國。

The fourth line, divided, shows its subject pursuing the due course. His advice to his prince is followed. He can with advantage be relied on in such a movement as that of removing the capital.

## Line 5

九五：有孚惠心，勿問元吉。有孚惠我德。

The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject with sincere heart seeking to benefit (all below). There need be no question about it; the result will be great good fortune. (All below) will with sincere heart acknowledge his goodness.

## Line 6

上九：莫益之，或擊之，立心勿恆，凶。

In the sixth line, undivided, we see one to whose increase none will contribute, while many will seek to assail him. He observes no regular rule in the ordering of his heart. There will be evil.

## Sources

- [周易 · 中文原文（Ruism Digital Library）](https://ruism.org/library/classic-of-changes/42#42.1)
- [James Legge, The Yî King (1882), Sacred Books of the East, XVI](https://ruism.org/library/classic-of-changes/42#42.1)