Hexagram 42, Line 6

The Line Text

Interpretation

This top line represents the culmination and potential perversion of the principle of Increase. The time of auspicious growth and shared benefit has reached its peak, and with it comes the great danger of arrogance, greed, and forgetting the very principles that brought success. The person in this position has become isolated. Instead of continuing to give and contribute to the well-being of the whole, they hoard their gains or act with self-interest. Consequently, they "bring increase to no one" and lose the support and goodwill of others. This isolation makes them a target. The "strike" that comes is not random misfortune; it is a direct consequence of their actions, an external reaction to their selfishness. The root of this failure is "立心勿恆" (li xin wu heng) – an unsteady heart or inconstant will. Their purpose is no longer grounded in the benevolent spirit of mutual increase but has become fickle, driven by greed, fear, or ego. This lack of a firm, virtuous foundation leads inevitably to misfortune and a fall from grace.

Guidance for Action

This line is a serious warning. You have reached a peak of success or influence, but you are in danger of squandering it through arrogance or selfishness. It is a critical time for self-examination. Ask yourself: Have I stopped contributing to others? Have I taken my good fortune for granted? Am I acting from a place of entitlement? The guidance is to immediately correct your course. Reconnect with a spirit of humility and generosity. Share your resources, knowledge, and time. Stabilize your intentions by focusing on a higher purpose beyond personal gain. If you persist in self-serving behavior, you will attract opposition and suffer a significant setback. This is not a time to expand or take more, but to consolidate, give back, and secure your position through virtue, not power.

For Love & Relationships

In a relationship, this line points to a dangerous imbalance. One partner (or possibly both) has stopped contributing to the growth and happiness of the union. They may be taking the other for granted, acting selfishly, or being emotionally inconsistent and unreliable ("unsteady heart"). This behavior creates resentment and distance, making the relationship vulnerable to severe conflict ("someone strikes him"). This "strike" can manifest as a major argument, a betrayal, or even the end of the relationship. The foundation of mutual support has eroded. To avert disaster, you must immediately address this selfishness. Re-invest emotionally in your partner, show genuine appreciation, and strive for consistent, loving behavior. The focus must shift from "what can I get?" back to "what can we build together?"

For Career & Business

This line warns a leader, senior employee, or successful entrepreneur who has lost their way. At the height of your success, you may have become detached from your team or the company's core mission. You are no longer mentoring others, sharing credit, or contributing to a positive work environment. Instead, you may be hoarding information, claiming all the glory, or making erratic decisions based on ego. This has made you a target for criticism, professional rivalry, or even demotion. Your support base is gone. The "strike" comes from colleagues, superiors, or market forces that you have alienated. To salvage the situation, you must abandon this arrogant stance. Humbly re-engage with your team, share your success, and realign your unsteady ambitions with the collective good.

For Financial Matters

This line signifies the perilous peak of a financial boom. After a period of significant gains (Increase), you have become greedy or complacent. You are no longer using your wealth to create further opportunities for yourself and others through wise investment or generosity. Instead, you may be hoarding cash, taking it all for yourself, or making impulsive, ill-conceived financial decisions based on whim ("unsteady heart"). This behavior makes you vulnerable. A "strike" is imminent, which could be a sudden market collapse, a disastrous investment, a legal challenge, or a major, unexpected expense that wipes out your gains. The good fortune of Increase has been exhausted by your attitude. The only way to mitigate the coming misfortune is to immediately shift your strategy from greedy acquisition to prudent consolidation and generosity. Secure your wealth, and share a portion of it.