56. Lu / The Wanderer
(Fire above Mountain)
Description
Fire on the Mountain, catastrophic to man, a passing annoyance to the Mountain:
The Superior Person waits for wisdom and clarity before exacting Justice, then lets no protest sway him.
Find satisfaction in small gains.
To move constantly forward is good fortune to a Wanderer.
Analysis
You are a stranger to this situation.
It is your attraction to the exotic that has led you here, but you will move on to a new vista when this one has lost its mystique.
Because much of this environment is foreign to you, you must exercise only the best judgement.
You don't know the custom here, and it's too easy to cross a line you don't know is there.
Because you are the foreigner in this setting, you have no history to acquit you.
Watch, listen, study, contemplate, then step lightly but decisively on.
Changing Lines
Line 1
A traveler with petty complaints and too many demands soon wears out his welcome.
Line 2
The traveler lodges at an inn and keeps his belongings with him at all times.
He gains a loyal servant.
Line 3
The traveler causes a fire that burns down the inn.
He loses the trust of his servant and traveling companions.
Danger.
Line 4
Taking shelter in an abandoned cabin, the traveler finds his stolen belongings beside a razor-sharp axe.
What should be delight freezes to dread.
Line 5
The traveler kills a pheasant with his first shot.
For the price of one arrow, he has bought himself praise and high office.
Line 6
The traveler uses a bird's nest as kindling.
He chuckles at his cleverness, but soon weeps when he loses his ox.
Misfortune.