56. Lu; The wanderer Above; Li the Clinging fire Below; Ken Keeping Still mountain |
21st Century |
Comparisons |
| A wanderer is a loner. Without networks or support there is
no reason for pretensions. When treading this path it can be lethal to be
anything but honest and clear headed.
Because there is no obligation to do so one should not waste time on small things, otherwise there is no point to wandering. If one wants to be a vagabond then the gallows is their destination. Many will want to demean the loner. Nothing is gained by giving oneself to brutes. To avoid being odious company one must retain a light spirit, a modesty and a sobriety which instils confidence in those one might meet. There will be unpleasant people, people who presume upon their station in life, people with no respect for other's time. If such people were to become dominant the wanderer's life would become very dangerous for such individuals make insult and truculence rather light and respite their modus. Ultimately the surest shelter one can find on the road of life is the shelter of one's beliefs. When belief is sound, and sensible, when ethics are fair and tolerant when one has a clear map of where one wants to go in life then one always has shelter, is always centred. When wandering is the training in meditation and contemplation, of silence and observation permits one to find an opportunity quickly to make oneself useful and in being useful one is welcomed into every community. Forget you are wandering for a moment and there will be cause for lament later. One may be wandering but one must not wander without purpose. To just travel for simple pleasure is ephemeral, without lasting effect or benefit to anyone. |
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Below are the comparative interpretations of a) Legge, b) Willhelm, c) Riefler, d) Crowley
a) the stranger mean and meanly occupied. It is thus that he brings on himself (further) calamity.
b) If the wanderer busies himself with trivial things, He draws down misfortune upon himself.
c) A petty stranger with petty motives. Further calamity.
d) Mean men by menial toil increase their woe:
a) The stranger occupying his lodging house, carrying with him his means of livelihood, and provided with good and trusty servants.
b) The wanderer comes to an inn. He has his property with him. He wins the steadfastness (perseverance) of a young servant.
c) A well-to-do stranger has come to town. He stays at the inn with his loyal retinue.
d) Well lodged, served, moneyed men may more easy go.
a) The stranger burning his lodging house, and having lost his servants. However firm and correct he (try to) be, he will be in peril.
b) The wanderer's inn burns down. He loses the steadfastness of his young servant. Danger.
c) The stranger has burned down the inn, and has been deserted by his friends. Peril, even while you keep to your course.
d) His house on fire, his servants fled, 'ware danger.
a) The traveler in a resting place, having (also) the means of livelihood and the axe, (but still saying) "I am not at ease in my mind."
b) The wanderer rests in a shelter. He obtains his property and an axe. My heart is not glad.
c) A wandering woodcutter has settled here. He makes a good living but seems uneasy about something.
d) Through rich, armed, rested, still set caution ranger!
a) shooting a pheasant. He will lose his arrow, but in the end he will obtain praise and a (high) charge.
b) He shoots a pheasant. It drops with the first arrow. In the end this brings both praise and office.
c) The stranger shoots the pheasant. He exchanges his arrow for praise and a position of responsibility.
d) Good manners, self-effacement win the throw.
a) the idea of a bird burning its nest. The stranger, (thus represented), first laughs and then cries out. He has lost his ox (-like docility) too readily and easily. There will be evil.
b) The bird's nest burns up. The wanderer laughs at first, Then must needs lament and weep. Through carelessness he loses his cow. Misfortune.
c) The stranger kindles his fire with a bird's nest. He gives joy to the fire but undermines the man. He loses his composure. Ominous.
d) While arrogance and violence hurt the stranger.