Qian (Modesty) · 谦

Judgment (卦辞)

Modesty creates success. The superior man carries modesty through to the end. It furthers one to accomplish something. Modesty is the one quality that heaven, earth, and humanity all favor. The modest are elevated; the boastful are diminished.

谦：亨，君子有终。

Image (象辞)

Within the earth, a mountain — the image of Modesty. Thus the superior man reduces that which is too much and augments that which is too little. He weighs things and makes them equal. A mountain hidden within the earth shows that true greatness does not need to be displayed.

地中有山，谦；君子以裒多益寡，称物平施。

Modern Application

Qian-Modesty is the hexagram of humility — the only virtue universally rewarded. Key for servant leadership, equitable distribution, and avoiding the hubris that follows success.

谦是谦逊之卦——唯一普遍受到回报的品德。对服务型领导、公平分配和避免成功后的傲慢至关重要。