Decrease

The first line leaves its own affairs to help the fourth. The text finds no error and adds a limit, “let him consider how far he should contribute of what is his (for the other)”. The commentary gives the ground for the help, which is that the upper line “mingles his wishes with his”.

Legge notes that this line is strong and its correlate in the fourth place is weak. Its subject will wish to help, and Legge adds “Nor will he diminish of his own for the other without due deliberation.”

Wilhelm reads the timing differently. In his version one goes “when one's tasks are finished”, and the limit is put as “how much one may decrease others”.

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 4, Youthful Folly

This line helps by staying where it is. The text says that “action on his part will be evil”, and Legge explains that “Maintaining his own firm correctness is the best way to help him”.

Legge describes the line as strong and in the central place. The commentary builds on that place and says “his central position gives its character to his aim”.

Wilhelm states the result plainly. “Without decreasing oneself, One is able to bring increase to others.”

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 27, Nourishment

Three walking together lose one, and one walking alone finds a friend. The commentary gives a short reason, “when three are together, doubts rise among them”.

Legge reports an explanation built on the movement of lines between the trigrams, and he does not accept it. He calls the paragraph “full of obscurity” and writes “I cannot lay hold of any thread of reason in this.”

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 26, Great Taming

This line is weak, and the strong first line is made to hasten to its relief. Legge compares it to “an individual ailing and unable to perform his proper work”. The text finds no error, and the commentary adds “this is matter for joy”.

Wilhelm has faults where Legge has an ailment. His line begins “If a man decreases his faults”, and the result is that it “makes the other hasten to come and rejoice”.

Legge reads the joy of the line as a sign of will. In his note it “shows the desire of its subject to do his part in the work of the hexagram”.

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 38, Opposition

Here the gain comes from others. The text shows parties adding “ten pairs of tortoise shells” to the stores of its subject and “accepting no refusal”, and it ends in “great good fortune”.

Legge sees in this place a ruler who is “humble, and welcomes the assistance of his correlate”. The commentary says the good fortune “is due to the blessing from above”.

Wilhelm keeps the tortoises and gives them another part. In his version “Someone does indeed increase him. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it.”

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 61, Inner Truth

The top line gives without losing. Its subject is “giving increase to others without taking from himself”, and the text joins freedom from error, good fortune and advantage. The commentary says “he obtains his wish on a grand scale”.

Wilhelm turns the first phrase around, “If one is increased without depriving others”, and closes with “One obtains servants But no longer has a separate home.”

Legge says this line will “carry out the idea of the hexagram in the highest degree and style”. On the ministers of the text he writes “Ministers will come to serve him; and not one from each clan merely, but many.” He is candid about this last paragraph and adds “I confess that I only discern the meaning darkly.”

When only this line changes, it becomes hexagram 19, Approach