56. Lü / The Wanderer

Line 6: The bird’s nest burns up. The wanderer laughs at first, Then must needs lament and weep. Through carelessness he loses his cow. Misfortune.

Line 5: He shoots a pheasant. It drops with the first arrow. In the end this brings both praise and office.

Line 4: The wanderer rests in a shelter. He obtains his property and an ax. My heart is not glad.

Line 3: The wanderer’s inn burns down. He loses the steadfastness of his young servant. Danger.

Line 2: The wanderer comes to an inn. He has his property with him. He wins the steadfastness of a young servant.

Line 1: If the wanderer busies himself with trivial things, He draws down misfortune upon himself.