2.The Receptive

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The Lines

Bottom. [6] The worthy assistant remains alert to the first signs of deterioration in the endeavors of which he is a part. Since he does not have responsibility for everything, he can stand back and observe problems at their very beginning. Thus he is able to heed the early signs, take precautions against further deterioration, and keep things going smoothly.

2. [6] The subordinate accommodates himself to the needs of the creative leader. He supplies what the leader lacks, and thus makes himself indispensable. He suggests improvements and effective alternatives that enable the creative leader to achieve his goals. He has no motives or goals himself outside of making the work of the creative leader more effective.

3. [6] The effective assistant does not seek recognition for himself or his abilities, for he knows that to do so would undermine the joint effort. He may well have many assets that others are unaware of, and which he keeps concealed until needed. He avoids attracting attention to himself, because that can arouse resentment as well as all kinds of opposing forces that would defeat his usefulness. Even as an assistant, he may well occupy an important position. Nevertheless, his chief attribute is restraint. His aim is the success of the endeavors of which he is a part, not receiving credit for what he does. This will often require a considerable amount of working behind the scenes.

4. [6] In difficult times, one must act with great delicacy and avoid drawing even the slightest attention to oneself. Since he times are difficult, any degree of prominence is almost surely to be misunderstood or misinterpreted. By remaining completely in the background, the subordinate assistant can complete his work without anyone even knowing that he has been actively involved.

5. [6] If the Devoted Assistant is forced into a prominent position, even though he is not and cannot be an independent player, he must act with the highest degree of discretion, sincerity and dignity. These characteristics should reveal themselves, not in mannerisms or haughty attitudes, but indirectly through the way he does things and brings about results.

Top. [6] The man in a subordinate position who tries to assume the position of leadership brings down upon himself every form of opposition from those stronger than he. He causes great injury to himself, to the work he is supposedly a part of, and to all around him. Such an effort to which he is unsuited by nature can only bring defeat and disaster to everyone involved.

All lines 6's. When the subordinate is combined with the creative, the attributes of both are melded together, so that the man remains steadfast and enduring while working in the pursuit of what is right. Nothing great comes of this, but then nothing harmful happens either.

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9. Small Taming

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The Lines

 Bottom. [9] A man of ability and strength is accustomed to forcing his way ahead. But when that path is effectively blocked, he leaves off being forceful, and remains in readiness to go forward or back as the situation requires. Good fortune will be the result, because he is not testing his fate, and he stands ready to utilize whatever opportunities open to him.

2. [9] The man is surrounded by people like himself who wish to advance, but are being held back. He immediately recognizes that were he to make the same attempt, he would meet the same fate, so he holds back and avoids an embarrassing set-back. Things work out well eventually, because he does not exert himself against the spirit of the times, but waits for a favorable moment.

3. [9] The situation appears deceptively favorable. The man thinks he has sufficient power to move ahead, but he is mistaken. The times favor opposing forces, even when they appear to be weak and inconsequential. The man cannot understand this, because everything appears favorable, so he makes a forward movement anyway. The result is an embarrassing failure.

4. [6] When a person is in a subordinate position, his greatest asset is honesty and truth. If his advice is consistently directed toward what is right and just, even though the situation is threatening and is potentially extremely dangerous, he need have no fear, because he knows that in the end, right will prevail. The powerful man listens to him and recognizes that the rightful path is best, and things work themselves out favorably.

5. [9] If a person has little personal power but is loyal to those with whom he is associated, he can nevertheless exert great influence, provided of course that loyalty does not mean obsequiousness and pandering. Loyalty receives confidence and trust from those to whom one is loyal. This mutual relationship combines the resources of all those associated together and is thus beneficial to all concerned.

Top. [9] Success is within the man's grasp, but it has been achieved by modest means and is such a delicate thing, it could easily be undermined by a bold move. Because it is so uncertain, it would be a great mistake if it were taken for granted and brought into being by a final display of forceful effort. It has been gained by holding back and being receptive rather than by exerting power. If, in these final moments, one were to suddenly switch and push forcefully ahead, all one's efforts would be brought down. The superior man is therefore content with the way things are going, the extent of success achieved, even if it has not gone as far as one could wish. To push it further will only bring it all down.

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