Sun · 损

Judgment (卦辞)

Decrease combined with sincerity brings about sublime results without blame. It is possible to have a sacrifice. Decrease does not always mean loss; when what is reduced below is added above, the sacrifice creates a higher good. Sincerity makes decrease meaningful.

损：有孚，元吉，无咎，可贞，利有攸往。曷之用？二簋可用享。

Image (象辞)

At the foot of the mountain, the lake — the image of Decrease. Thus the superior man controls his anger and restrains his instincts. The lake evaporating at the mountain's foot shows natural decrease; controlling impulses is the human equivalent.

山下有泽，损；君子以惩忿窒欲。

Modern Application

Sun teaches that strategic reduction — cutting excess — can produce greater results. Key for budget optimization, simplification strategies, and impulse management.

损教导战略性减少——削减多余部分可以产生更大结果。对预算优化、简化策略和冲动管理至关重要。