The Wanderer (Lǚ)

Judgment

旅：小亨，旅贞吉。

Plain Meaning：The wanderer: small success; steadfastness on the road brings fortune.

Image (Great Commentary)

山上有火，旅；君子以明慎用刑，而不留狱。

Line Texts

• 初六旅琐琐，斯其所取灾。

  Petty fussing on the road invites its own disaster.

• 六二旅即次，怀其资，得童仆贞。

  Reaching an inn with means and a loyal servant—well-lodged on the journey.

• 九三旅焚其次，丧其童仆，贞厉。

  The inn burns, the servant lost—harshness on the road brings peril.

• 九四旅于处，得其资斧，我心不快。

  A shelter and an axe of means—yet no true home; the heart uneasy.

• 六五射雉一矢亡，终以誉命。

  One arrow lost on the pheasant—small cost, ending in praise and office.

• 上九鸟焚其巢，旅人先笑后号啕。丧牛于易，凶。

  The bird’s nest burns—first laughter then wailing; the ox lost through carelessness; misfortune.

Symbolism

Fire on the mountain, never resting: the way of the sojourner.

Life Lesson

As a guest anywhere, be modest and upright—arrogance abroad invites ruin.

Modern Application

Settling in new territory: blend in humbly, follow local rules, keep a fallback.

Words of Caution

Hubris on foreign ground turns laughter to wailing.