Stick #44: Put Righteousness First (Neutral)
义字当头天地宽，见利忘义祸相连。守义方是立身本，不义之财莫贪沾。
Plain reading
This lot says put duty before profit. Greed without principle brings chain of harm. Stand on right — do not touch unjust gain; righteous road is wide road.
Interpretation
"Put Righteousness First" is a neutral stick. Righteousness opens sky; profit without right invites trouble. Right is root of standing — unclean money do not touch.
Situation notes
- Career: Right boundary — name rises, rise follows.
- Relationships: Keep vow — faith is root of years together.
- Wealth: Righteous coin stays — greedy coin flees.
Common misread
Auspicious tiers (such as Neutral) are tone, not a verdict. Name one action you control before redrawing.
Advice
When profit comes, ask: is it righteous? If not, refuse. When both possible, right first, profit second.
Drawn from Mencius — "choose righteousness over life" — and Guan Yu releasing Cao Cao — honor over gain.
Related sticks
- Stick #43: Treat Others with Courtesy — neighboring lot for tone contrast
- Stick #45: Let Trust Be Your Foundation — neighboring lot for tone contrast
Editorial note: entertainment and cultural reference. Source last revised: 2026-09-14. See Methodology and fortune stick guide.