Stick #30: Waiting by the Tree for a Rabbit (Neutral)
偶然得之不可恃，守株待兔误终身。机缘须配勤与智，空等何年见好春。
Plain reading
This lot warns against idle waiting. Luck once found cannot be trusted forever. Chance needs work and wit — sitting by the stump wastes life. If fortune came once, return to daily striving.
Interpretation
"Waiting by the Tree for a Rabbit" is a neutral stick. Accidental gain cannot be relied on. Opportunity needs diligence and mind — treating one lucky strike as rule misleads.
Situation notes
- Career: No passive referral — send resume, interview.
- Relationships: No perfect person idle — meet people and nurture.
- Wealth: No lottery dream — salary and budget.
Common misread
Auspicious tiers (such as Neutral) are tone, not a verdict. Name one action you control before redrawing.
Advice
If luck helped once, restore normal effort at once — do not wait again.
Drawn from Han Feizi — farmer waited by stump for rabbit, caught none, mocked by all — luck is not labor.
Related sticks
- Stick #29: Contentment Brings Lasting Joy — neighboring lot for tone contrast
- Stick #31: Accept What Comes — neighboring lot for tone contrast
Editorial note: entertainment and cultural reference. Source last revised: 2026-09-14. See Methodology and fortune stick guide.