Why Is Qian (Modesty) the Only Hexagram with All Auspicious Lines Among the 64 Hexagrams? — The More Capable You Are, the More Low-Key You Should Stay

The Hexagram of Modesty comes right after the Hexagram of Possession in Great Measure — no coincidence there. Possession in Great Measure is about a bountiful harvest, and Modesty is the attitude you ought to have after reaping that harvest.

Modesty is the only one of the 64 Hexagrams where all six Lines are auspicious. What does that mean? No matter what position or stage you’re at, every Line in this Hexagram points to good outcomes. No exceptions.

Wen Laoshi says this is one of a kind among the 64 Hexagrams. All other hexagrams have a mix of Good fortune and Misfortune — only Modesty is all auspicious. Why is that?

The Imagery of the Modesty Hexagram

Kun / The Receptive is on top, Gen / Keeping Still is below — a mountain hidden within the earth. A mountain is supposed to sit above the ground, towering high. But the image of the Modesty Hexagram shows a mountain beneath the earth: you have the strength of a mountain, but you choose to keep it hidden below the surface.

That’s what "modesty" means here — it’s not that you lack ability, but that you have ability and choose not to show it off.

The Six Line Texts of the Modesty Hexagram

Six at the Beginning: "谦谦君子，用涉大川，吉" (A modest, modest Junzi; it furthers one to cross the great water — Good fortune). A humble Junzi can take on great endeavors.

Six in the Second Place: "鸣谦，贞吉" (Modesty that resounds; Perseverance Brings Good Fortune). One who has a widespread reputation yet remains humble will have good fortune.

Nine in the Third Place: "劳谦，君子有终，吉" (Modesty born of hard work; the Junzi sees things through to the end — Good fortune). One who has earned merit yet stays humble will have a good end.

Six in the Fourth Place: "无不利，撝谦" (Nothing that does not further; wielding modesty). When you put the virtue of modesty into action, nothing will fail to go well.

Six in the Fifth Place: "不富以其邻，利用侵伐，征" (Not wealthy, yet drawing neighbors close; it furthers to launch punitive campaigns). One wins the respect of neighboring states not through wealth, but through moral character.

Six at the Top: "鸣谦，利用行师，征邑国" (Modesty that resounds; it furthers to deploy troops and conquer cities). One who has a far-reaching reputation yet stays humble can successfully lead military campaigns.

See? All six Line Texts, from the First Line to the Top Line, speak of Good fortune, Nothing That Does Not Further, or favorable outcomes. Not a single one is inauspicious.

Why Is Modesty All Auspicious?

Put simply, it’s because modesty is the quality in this world with the lowest cost and the highest return.

When you’re modest, others are willing to help you; when you’re modest, others don’t guard against you; when you’re modest, people will be forgiving when you make mistakes.

Wen Laoshi says a lot of people think modesty is weakness, or just putting on an act. That’s not right. The modesty of this Hexagram is having real strength, but choosing not to flaunt it. That’s not an act — that’s wisdom.

One Final Thought

The Modesty Hexagram is the "safest" of all 64 Hexagrams.

Wen Laoshi says if you can live by the single word "modesty" your whole life, chances are you’ll never run into major trouble. Because modest people have fewer enemies, more friends, and more opportunities.