I Ching - No.15 - Ch’ien - 'Modesty', by Faye Edmondson

This is the original watercolour painting. Picture size 57cm H x 57cm W.

*All the original works are mounted in black painted wooden frames and glazed.

Please note - the image you see online is faintly watermarked for Copyright Protection.

Interpretation.

The wealth of the earth in which a mountain is hidden is not visible to the eye because the depths are offset by the height of the mountain. Thus high and low complement each other, and the result is the plain. Here an effect that it took a long time to achieve, but that in the end seems easy of accomplishment and self evident, is used as the image of modesty. The enlightened man does the same thing when establishing order in the world; extremes that are the source of social discontent are equalised thereby creating just and equable conditions.

When a man hold a high position and is nevertheless modest he shines with the light of wisdom; if he is in a lowly position and is modest, he cannot be passed by. His work is carried out to the end without boasting of what he has achieved.

Modesty is not to be confused with weak good nature that lets things take their own course. Where responsibility is held there are times when energetic measures are called for. These measures should be purely objective and in no way personally offensive, nor should any effort be used in creating a good impression.

When enmity arises it is easy to lay blame on another. A weak man takes offence perhaps and draws back, feeling self-pity. He thinks it is modesty that keeps him from defending himself. Genuine modesty sets one to creating order and inspires one to begin by disciplining one’s own ego and one’s immediate circle. Only through having the courage to marshal one’s armies against oneself, will something forceful really be achieved.