42 · Increase (YÌ)
Increase follows Decrease by asking who actually receives the benefit. Wind and thunder carry movement outward; good growth helps people below rather than merely enlarging the top. The lines move from a common project to received support, disaster relief, consent for relocation, sincere generosity, and the danger of demanding more without end.
The judgment
Increase: it is beneficial to have somewhere to go; beneficial to cross a great river.
The river is a serious undertaking, not a promise that every risk will pay. Growth directed toward real needs gives a reason to move and a basis for crossing difficult ground.
Original Chinese text
益：利有攸往。利涉大川。
The six lines
- 初九 · Line 1 — It is beneficial to undertake a great work; great good fortune, no blame.
Original Chinese
利用為大作，元吉，无咎。
- 六二 · Line 2 — Someone increases it; even a tortoise worth ten pairs cannot oppose it. Lasting steadfastness is auspicious. The king offers to the Supreme Deity: auspicious.
Original Chinese
或益之，十朋之龜弗克違，永貞吉。王用享于帝，吉。
- 六三 · Line 3 — Apply increase to a dire event: no blame. With sincerity, walk the middle way; report to the duke using a jade tablet.
Original Chinese
益之用凶事，无咎。有孚中行，告公用圭。
- 六四 · Line 4 — Walk the middle way; tell the duke and he follows. It is beneficial to rely on support when moving a state.
Original Chinese
中行，告公從，利用為依遷國。
- 九五 · Line 5 — With sincerity and a caring heart, do not ask: great good fortune. With sincerity, kindness returns to my virtue.
Original Chinese
有孚惠心，勿問元吉。有孚惠我德。
- 上九 · Line 6 — No one adds to him; someone may strike him. A heart without constancy brings misfortune.
Original Chinese
莫益之，或擊之，立心勿恆，凶。