What this change means
Thunder and lightning replace the quiet hidden mountain, Thunder below and Fire above, as the first, third, fourth and top lines move. In 21 Biting, the second and fifth lines are the ones at rest, and they speak for this change. The first says that when you see someone acting unjustly or wrongly, it's better to set firm limits than to do nothing. The second says that when you correct mistakes others have made, steadiness and impartiality are what get results. From Simplicity, this can feel like a sharp turn. But humility was never the same as passivity. Its image weighs things and shares them evenly, and fair measure sometimes requires bite. Make your boundaries clear, and apply them evenly, without personal anger. Don't avoid the necessary confrontation. A firm limit set calmly tends to protect more people than silence would.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 21 Biting, which stays still
When you see someone acting unjustly or wrongly, it's better to be uncompromising in setting limits than to do nothing.
Biting tender flesh, the nose sinks out of sight. No fault.
- Line 5 of 21 Biting, which stays still
When you correct mistakes others have made, be steady and impartial, and you'll get results.
Biting dried meat, finding yellow gold. Constancy is in danger. No fault.
- The judgment of 15 Simplicity
This isn't the time to boast or show off. It's time to keep things simple and to make sure you act fairly; your qualities and talents will show on their own and be recognized.
Success. The noble person reaches the end.
- Line 1 of 15 Simplicity
Doing great things without pretension or pride will let you bring what you want to a good end, because you'll have no opponents.
Humble in their humility, the noble person can cross the great river. Good fortune.
- Line 3 of 15 Simplicity
If, despite your position and fame, you stay humble, you won't create rivalries and you'll succeed.
A noble person humble in toil. Reaching the end: good fortune.
- Line 4 of 15 Simplicity
If you carry out your tasks with dedication and without expecting recognition, you'll have great success.
Nothing that is not favorable. Humility spread wide.
- Line 6 of 15 Simplicity
If situations come up that aren't right, your stance must be firm: take the actions needed to correct them.
Humility that makes itself heard. It is favorable to set the army in motion against the town and the country.
- The judgment of 21 Biting
It's a time for firm, decisive action to overcome obstacles, even legal action if needed. Success is within reach if you act with energy and set limits. Don't be afraid: act.
Success. It is favorable to bring things to judgment.
The trigrams
The way back
21 Biting → 15 Simplicitylines 1, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Simplicity
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 60Thriftlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 42Increaselines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.