益Yi.Increase.
Wind moves above Thunder: energy rises, benefit circulates and purposeful action gains momentum. Yi concerns increasing what serves the whole, correcting faults quickly and investing resources where they can multiply.
Invest where growth can serve beyond itself.
Yi shows the upper giving to the lower, creating confidence and forward motion. It favours purposeful undertakings and even crossing the great river.
Increase remains sound when benefits circulate, errors are corrected and growth strengthens the field rather than feeding private excess.
Wind above. Thunder below.
Thunder initiates; Wind distributes and penetrates. Growth becomes durable when action and responsiveness reinforce each other.
Growth succeeds when it moves with time and benefits below.
The governing proposition
益：利有攸往，利涉大川。
Increase. It is beneficial to have somewhere to go. It is beneficial to cross the great river.
Benefit descends and spreads
益，損上益下，民說無疆，自上下下，其道大光。凡益之道，與時偕行。
The upper is decreased to increase the lower. Benefit moves with the requirements of time.
Move toward good; correct faults
風雷，益；君子以見善則遷，有過則改。
Wind and Thunder: Increase. Seeing good, the cultivated person moves toward it; seeing error, corrects it.
Six responsibilities of increase.
Use increase for a great undertakingLow position, substantial service · Changes to 20 觀
初九：利用為大作，元吉，無咎。
New capacity should serve meaningful work. Great good fortune removes blame.
小象傳 · 元吉無咎，下不厚事也.The lower position is not normally charged with great affairs.
Increase arrives beyond refusalReceive support with lasting correctness · Changes to 61 中孚
六二：或益之，十朋之龜弗克違，永貞吉。王用享于帝，吉。
Support comes from beyond the immediate circle. Receive it with enduring integrity.
小象傳 · 或益之，自外來也.The increase comes from outside.
Use increase in difficult affairsTransform adversity through sincerity · Changes to 37 家人
六三：益之用凶事，無咎。有孚中行，告公用圭。
Extra resources may be entrusted for crisis. Report transparently and stay centred.
小象傳 · 益用凶事，固有之也.Difficult affairs make such increase appropriate.
Walk the centre; the leader followsBecome a trusted basis for relocation · Changes to 25 無妄
六四：中行，告公從。利用為依遷國。
Credible counsel can move an entire structure. Influence rests on central conduct.
小象傳 · 告公從，以益志也.The leader follows because the intention is to increase benefit.
A sincere, benevolent heartDo not ask; supreme fortune · Changes to 27 頤
九五：有孚惠心，勿問元吉。有孚惠我德。
Benevolence generates trust without demanding recognition.
小象傳 · 有孚惠心，勿問之矣；惠我德，大得志也.Sincere benefit fulfils the intention greatly.
No one increases him; someone strikes himAn inconsistent heart brings misfortune · Changes to 03 屯
上九：莫益之，或擊之；立心勿恆，凶。
Growth that only takes eventually loses support. Without constancy, increase reverses into exposure.
小象傳 · 莫益之，偏辭也；或擊之，自外來也.The blow comes from outside.
Increase the capacity that creates further benefit.
Work and leadership
Invest in people, infrastructure and corrections that improve the whole system.
Relationships
Offer benefit sincerely and let reciprocity grow from trust rather than accounting.
Timing and decisions
Growth is timely when direction is clear and the added resources can circulate.
Yi is constructive when growth distributes capability and corrects weakness.
Aligned expression
- Benefit reaches those below.
- Errors are corrected quickly.
- Resources support real work.
- Growth remains reciprocal.
Distorted expression
- Growth becomes accumulation.
- Benefits remain concentrated.
- Expansion outruns purpose.
- Inconsistency destroys trust.