谦
15. Modesty
qiān; Balance
Judgment
谦：亨，君子有终。
Success. The noble person carries things through. The only hexagram in which all six lines are favourable.
Image
地中有山，谦；君子以裒多益寡，称物平施。
Within the earth, a mountain: the image of modesty. The noble person reduces what is too much and augments what is too little; they weigh things and make them equal.
Lines
- Line 1, yin (six)
初六：谦谦君子，用涉大川，吉。
A noble person modest about their modesty may cross the great water: good fortune. Modesty makes great undertakings possible.
- Line 2, yin (six)
六二：鸣谦，贞吉。
Modesty that comes to expression; perseverance brings good fortune. Inner modesty is recognised outwardly.
- Line 3, yang (nine)
九三：劳谦君子，有终吉。
A noble person of modesty and merit carries things to conclusion: good fortune. Achievement without claiming it lasts.
- Line 4, yin (six)
六四：无不利，撝谦。
Nothing that would not further modesty in movement. Modesty is practised actively, not as passive retreat.
- Line 5, yin (six)
六五：不富以其邻，利用侵伐，无不利。
No boasting of wealth before one's neighbour. It is favourable to attack with force; nothing that does not further. Modesty is not weakness.
- Line 6, yin (six)
上六：鸣谦，利用行师，征邑国。
Modesty that comes to expression. It is favourable to set armies marching to chastise one's own city. The modest first put their own house in order.
In the enterprise
The hexagram of humble leadership, stakeholder balance and sustainability. The only hexagram with six favourable lines: modesty is the most reliable strategy across cycles. For reputation, stakeholder balance, pay equity, ESG.
Psychological lens
Resonates with research on humble leadership (Owens & Hekman) and Jim Collins' 'Level 5 leader': personal humility combined with professional will.
Related hexagrams
40. 解 Deliverance
Lines 2–4 and 3–5: the hidden dynamics inside the situation.Opposite
10. 履 Treading
Every line reversed: the shadow side and blind spots.Inverse
16. 豫 Enthusiasm
The figure turned upside down: the counterpart's or stakeholder's view.King Wen pair
16. 豫 Enthusiasm
Situations in the library that use this hexagram
- Humility and authority in a leader Enterprise, Line 3, yang (nine)
- Bonus allocation causing resentment Enterprise, Judgment
- Standing in the local community Enterprise, Line 2, yin (six)
- ESG spending vs. short-term profit Enterprise, Judgment
- Strategic philanthropy Enterprise, Line 4, yin (six)
- Managing older team members Individuals, Line 1, yin (six)
- Someone takes credit for your work Individuals, Line 3, yang (nine)
- Self-promotion without arrogance Individuals, Line 2, yin (six)
- Fairness between siblings Individuals, Judgment
Situation readings are a reflective framework for discussion—not predictions and not a substitute for professional advice.