Challenges to Comprehension Implied by the Logo
of Laetus in Praesens
Laetus in Praesens Alternative view of segmented documents via Kairos

Metaphor (I Ching) Index Page
Equivalent condition for: Dialogue / Vision / Conference / Policy / Network / Lifestyle
Previous community condition / Next community condition
Circular community map: top-out
Sustainable community #09

Subtle restraint (Hsiao Ch'u)

Metaphors: Taming power of the small / Small accumulating


Social When the influence of a sustainable community is as yet unable to produce great or lasting effects, it is best that it should act in a restraining or subduing manner in anticipation of ultimate success.

Sub-conditions:

1. Avoidance of forceful action by the sustainable community leaves it free to advance or retreat when obstructions are encountered. (Resulting in: Penetrating clarity).

2. The sustainable community benefits by retreating with others of similar orientation when obstructions are too great. (Resulting in: Community).

3. Forceful action by the sustainable community is bound to fail when circumstances combine to enhance the powers of seemingly minor hindrances. (Resulting in: Essential quality).

4. Disinterested restraining action by the sustainable community to ensure that the right prevails will eventually succeed, despite the real dangers with which such action is threatened. (Resulting in: Creativity).

5. Relationships based on loyalty and trust reinforce the effectiveness of the sustainable community and of the complementary roles of those involved. (Resulting in: Conservation).

6. When the sustainable community has achieved limited success from a position of weakness, it is dangerous to pursue the advantage any further until circumstances are more favourable. (Resulting in: Waiting).

Transformation sequence Subtle restraints give rise to careful conduct. (Resulting in: Careful conduct).


Previous community condition / Next community condition

Earlier version in 2nd edition of Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential (1986).

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

For further updates on this site, subscribe here