Stick #88: At the End of One's Resources (Very Unfavorable)
山穷水尽水横流，绝境之中有渡头。寻一绳筏先渡己，留得青山不怕愁。
Plain reading
Mountains end, waters fail, and floods cross the path — yet in the deepest dead end a crossing may remain. Find rope or raft and save yourself first; keep the green hills and you need not fear firewood later.
Interpretation
This is a very unfavorable lot titled "At the End of One's Resources." Waters flood the dead end — yet a crossing may remain. "Find rope or raft; save yourself first; keep the hills" shows cross yourself first, then plan for others.
Situation notes
- Career: If post cannot be kept, keep record clean — then seek next place.
- Relationships: Guard basic respect and separate beds if needed — then discuss stay or go.
- Wealth: Gather cash, documents, and accounts first — other wealth may wait.
Common misread
Auspicious tiers (such as Very Unfavorable) are tone, not a verdict. Name one action you control before redrawing.
Advice
Identify "rope or raft" — a sum of money, a shelter, a trusted person — and grasp it to cross. All "crossing others" waits until you yourself are over.
From the Records of the Grand Historian: Fan Li sailed the five lakes — cross yourself first, then plan outward — keep the hills, fear no future want.
Related sticks
- Stick #87: Surrounded on All Sides — neighboring lot for tone contrast
- Stick #89: Life from Desperate Straits — neighboring lot for tone contrast
Editorial note: entertainment and cultural reference. Source last revised: 2026-09-14. See Methodology and fortune stick guide.