Classical Text 古典文獻 · I Ching 易經
Hexagram 42 — Wind over Thunder (風雷益) - Increase
益
Lower Canon 下經
Hexagram Symbol & Trigrams
卦象與八卦
Judgment
卦辭
益：利有攸往，利涉大川。
Increase. It furthers one to undertake something. It furthers one to cross the great water.
Image
象傳
象曰：風雷，益；君子以見善則遷，有過則改。
Wind and thunder: the image of Increase. Thus the superior man: If he sees good, he imitates it; if he has faults, he rids himself of them.
Interpretation
詮釋
益卦象徵增益與成長。風雷激盪，上下相益。宜見賢思齊，有過即改。
Increase and growth. Wind and thunder stirring, upper and lower mutually benefit. Should emulate the worthy, correct faults immediately.
Six Lines
爻辭
Nine at the beginning
初九
利用為大作，元吉，無咎。
It furthers one to accomplish great deeds. Supreme good fortune. No blame.
利於從事大事業，大吉，無咎。得增益之初，可大有作為。
Benefits undertaking great endeavors, great fortune, no blame. At beginning of increase, can accomplish much.
Six in the second place
六二
或益之，十朋之龜弗克違，永貞吉。王用享於帝，吉。
Someone does indeed increase him; ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Constant perseverance brings good fortune. The king presents him before God. Good fortune.
有人增益他，十對龜卜不能違，永久守正吉。王用以享祀上帝，吉。德配天地，受天之佑。
Someone increases him, ten tortoise pairs cannot oppose, eternal correctness brings fortune. King offers sacrifice to God, fortune. Virtue matches heaven and earth, receives heaven's blessing.
Six in the third place
六三
益之用凶事，無咎。有孚中行，告公用圭。
One is enriched through unfortunate events. No blame, if you are sincere and walk in the middle, and report with a seal to the prince.
因凶事而得益，無咎。有誠信行中道，告於公用玉圭。危難中顯忠誠。
Benefiting from misfortune, no blame. Having sincerity walking the middle path, reporting to duke with jade tablet. Loyalty shown in crisis.
Six in the fourth place
六四
中行，告公從。利用為依遷國。
If you walk in the middle and report to the prince, he will follow. It furthers one to be used in the removal of the capital.
行中道，告於公則聽從。利於遷都等依賴性大事。得信任可擔大任。
Walking middle path, reporting to duke he follows. Benefits major dependent matters like relocating capital. Trusted can shoulder great responsibility.
Nine in the fifth place
九五
有孚惠心，勿問元吉。有孚惠我德。
If in truth you have a kind heart, ask not. Supreme good fortune. Truly, kindness will be recognized as your virtue.
有誠信仁惠之心，不問自得大吉。有誠信惠及我德。至誠感人，德被四方。
Having sincere benevolent heart, need not ask for great fortune. Sincerity benefits my virtue. Utmost sincerity moves people, virtue reaches all directions.
Nine at the top
上九
莫益之，或擊之，立心勿恆，凶。
He brings increase to no one. Indeed, someone even strikes him. He does not keep his heart constantly steady. Misfortune.
無人增益，反遭攻擊，立心不恆，凶。益極則損，不能持久必遭禍。
No one increases, instead attacked, heart not constant, misfortune. Increase at extreme becomes decrease, inability to maintain brings disaster.
Source: I Ching (易經), Hexagram 42