What Does Hexagram 26 Line 5 "Fen Shi Zhi Ya" Mean? Truly Capable People Know How to Soften Their Edge

When the hexagram of The Taming Power of the Great reaches the Fifth Line, one has already climbed to a very high position.

In the previous lines, we talked about how to lay a solid foundation, adjust your pace, build up strength for a big breakthrough, and win people’s support.

By the time you reach the Fifth Line, your reserves are already substantial and your status is high — you could say you’ve become a real "somebody."

At this point, what should you pay the most attention to?

The Line Text says: "豮豕之牙，吉" (The tusks of a castrated boar — good fortune.)

What is a "fén shǐ"? It’s a castrated male boar.

That may sound crude, but the principle behind it runs deep.

A wild boar is naturally fierce, with sharp tusks that can hurt people. But once it’s castrated, its temperament turns gentle. Its tusks are still there, but they no longer harm anyone.

So "the tusks of a castrated boar" means this: the tusks remain, but they are no longer used to hurt others.

A person may have great talent, strong ability, and a high position, but they don’t show off, don’t bully others, and don’t use their abilities to intimidate people.

Only in this way can good fortune follow.

The More Capable You Are, the Less You Should Show Your "Fangs"

Think about it: what’s a boar like before it’s castrated?

It’s extremely fierce. It charges and bites at the slightest provocation, and everyone is afraid to go near it. Its tusks are its weapon — but they are also its downfall.

Why? Because it’s so aggressive that everyone is on guard against it and wants to take it down. Today you charge this person, tomorrow you bite that one — sooner or later, someone will slaughter you for meat.

But after castration? Its temperament softens, and it no longer hurts people. People stop being wary of it, and it actually lives longer.

It’s the same with people.

Having talent, ability, and status is a good thing. But if you use these things to swagger around, bully others, and show off, that good thing turns bad.

Why?

First, showing too much edge easily stirs up jealousy.

You’re capable — people may not say it out loud, but they might feel uncomfortable inside. If you go around showing off everywhere, they’ll feel even worse. Jealousy is a scary thing. It won’t necessarily harm you directly, but it will trip you up behind your back, spread bad rumors about you, and gloat when you stumble.

You could have had a smooth path forward, but because you’ve stirred up jealousy, people keep throwing obstacles in your way at every turn. Isn’t that so unfair?

Second, the greater your ability, the more severely you’ll offend people.

When you had no real ability, if you said the wrong thing or messed up a task, no one cared. Because you weren’t important.

But once you have ability and status, a single word from you might stick in someone’s memory for life; a single action you take could affect many people’s interests.

At this point, the more you show off and the more aggressive you are, the more people you’ll offend. The more people you offend, the narrower your path becomes.

Third, the higher you climb, the harder you fall.

When you’re standing high up, everyone is watching you. If you do well, people won’t necessarily praise you; but if you make a mistake, everyone will fix their eyes on you.

At this point, the more you show off, the higher people’s expectations of you will be. The higher the expectations, the more disastrous your fall will be if you ever slip up.

That’s why Wen Laoshi often says: the more capable you are, the more you must learn to hold back. Your abilities are for getting things done, not for showing off.

"豮豕之牙" (The tusks of a castrated boar) — the tusks are still there, but they don’t hurt anyone anymore.

Your abilities are still there, but you no longer show them off.

That’s true strength.

People With "Fangs" Usually Have These Three Flaws

What kind of person falls into the "has fangs" category? They usually have these three flaws.

First flaw: they speak too harshly.

These people are very capable and talented, but their words are incredibly hurtful.

When you discuss a problem with them, one sentence from them can leave you speechless. If you offer a suggestion, they say your idea is too naive; if you report on your work, they say you can’t even handle such a small task; if you kindly remind them of something, they say you don’t know what you’re talking about.

They’re not bad people — they just think they’re great and that everyone else is incompetent. They believe everything they say is right, and everyone else should just listen.

But here’s the problem: everyone has pride. Your capability is your own business — do you really need to step on others to prove how great you are?

If you speak harshly once or twice, people might put up with it. But over time, who can stand it? On the surface, everyone fears you and obeys you — but deep down? They’re all waiting to see you fail.

When something goes wrong for you someday, no one will help you. You’ll be lucky if they don’t kick you while you’re down.

Second flaw: they’re too competitive — they have to win at everything.

These people have to fight to win no matter what it is.

In meetings to discuss plans, everything has to go their way; when playing cards or sports, they have to win; even in casual arguments, they have to be the one in the right.

Anyway, they can’t lose at anything — losing means losing face.

But think about it: you win the argument, but you lose goodwill — is that worth it?

You win every time, and you’ve beaten everyone around you. In the end, you’ll have no friends left, because no one wants to be around you — who enjoys always losing when they’re with you?

Truly capable people, on the other hand, don’t love to compete. Because they know that winning at some things is meaningless and only ends up offending people.

Give in when you should, step back when you should, and play dumb when the time calls for it.

When everyone feels comfortable, your path will be easier to walk.

Third flaw: they look down on others.

These people, once they become successful, think everyone else is useless.

Their subordinates are stupid, their colleagues are dumb, their opponents are weak — they think they’re the greatest person in the whole world.

When they talk to people, there’s a sense of superiority in their tone; when they watch others handle things, they’re always critical. It’s as if everyone else is transparent and beneath them in their eyes.

But don’t forget: fortunes change over time, like rivers shifting course.

Just because you’re successful now doesn’t mean you’ll always be successful; just because someone isn’t doing well now doesn’t mean they never will.

The person you look down on today might be your boss tomorrow, your biggest client tomorrow, or the person who decides your fate tomorrow.

By then, it’ll be too late to try to make amends.

How to "Softens Your Edge"? Three Methods

After all that, how exactly do you hold back your edge?

It’s actually not hard — just remember three things.

First thing: keep your abilities to yourself, and speak gently.

What does that mean? No matter how capable you are, don’t wear it on your face.

When you’re working, you can be decisive and meticulous. But when you’re dealing with people, be kinder in your attitude, softer in your tone, and humbler in your posture.

The same sentence, said aggressively, will make people resent you; said with a smile, it will make people respect you.

The same task, assigned in a condescending way, will make people feel uncomfortable; discussed collaboratively, people will actually be willing to follow your lead.

This isn’t hypocrisy — it’s respect for others.

Only when you respect others will they respect you. Only when you give others face will they give you face in return.

Second thing: give others more chances to "shine."

A lot of people have this bad habit — they want to take all the credit for themselves.

When things go well, it’s all their own doing;

When problems come up, it’s all someone else’s fault.

These people might get a few short-term benefits, but over time, no one will want to work with them.

Truly smart people don’t grab credit — instead, they pass credit on to others.

When a project succeeds, they say it’s all thanks to the team;

When a task is done well, they say it was mainly so-and-so’s contribution.

When you pass credit to others, on the surface it seems like you’re losing out. But in reality?

Subordinates are more willing to work for you, because they know they’ll be rewarded for following you;

Colleagues are more willing to cooperate with you, because working with you never means getting shortchanged;

Leaders appreciate you more, because you have vision and can lead a team.

What you lose is an empty reputation; what you gain is people’s loyalty.

Which is worth more?

Third thing: voluntarily reveal a few "small flaws."

That sounds a bit strange. I’m already trying my best to be capable — why would I want to show my flaws?

Because people who seem too perfect feel unreal and make others afraid to get close.

Think about it: if someone is good-looking, rich, talented, has a great personality, and is perfect at everything — would you want to be friends with them?

You might admire them, but you wouldn’t open up to them. Because you’d feel they’re too perfect, that you’re not the same kind of person as them.

But if you find out they have flaws too — like they get lost easily, they’re bad at cooking, they sing off-key — you’ll actually think this person is pretty real and cute, and you’ll want to get to know them.

That’s human nature. People don’t like perfect gods; they like people with flaws.

So occasionally revealing a few trivial, harmless small flaws isn’t a bad thing. It makes you seem more real, more down-to-earth, and more relatable.

People won’t look down on you for having small flaws — instead, they’ll think: Oh, so you’re just a regular person too.

When the sense of distance disappears, the relationship grows closer.

Final Thoughts

The line "豮豕之牙" (The tusks of a castrated boar) from the Fifth Line of The Taming Power of the Great sounds rough, but its principle is exquisite.

It tells us:

True strength isn’t about how fierce you are, how powerful you are, or how aggressive you are.

True strength is being clearly very capable, yet making others feel no sense of oppression.

Your tusks are still there, but you don’t use them to hurt others;

Your abilities are still there, but you don’t use them to show off;

Your status is still high, but you don’t look down on others.

This is called "hiding your edge and keeping a humble demeanor."

Hiding your edge doesn’t mean you have no edge. It means you have an edge, but you don’t flaunt it lightly.

Keeping a humble demeanor doesn’t mean you’re actually foolish. It means you’re clear on the inside, but don’t show off on the outside.

The higher you climb, the more you must understand the value of restraint.

Because the higher you stand, the more you need others to support you.

Only when everyone wants to give you a push can you stand steady and stand tall.

If everyone wants to pull you down, no matter how capable you are, you won’t be able to hold on.

So remember: the greater your ability, the gentler your temper should be;

The higher your status, the humbler your posture should be.

This isn’t cowardice — it’s wisdom.