The mountain hidden in the groundModesty
High yet undisclosed — the hardest posture for a mountain.
Qian places the mountain under the earth — what should tower sits low. This is not self-belittlement; it is keeping one's height out of view. True modesty is always premised on substance: with nothing to hold, modesty is empty talk; with something held, modesty is ease.
Its six lines form the rare all-auspicious sequence in the book. The reason is simple: modesty keeps you receiving. A full cup takes no water; leave a little space and new things enter. Positioning yourself low widens the view — no one needs defenses in front of you.
Practice Say it plainly once today: this I do not understand. No cushioning, no explanations — just let it lie there.