Che Kung fortune sticks

Che Kung stick 38

中籤

Middle · read the circumstances

Choose the useful work within reach

This middle-grade stick contrasts a conspicuous climb with gathering something useful close at hand. If you are choosing a job, project, or way of helping someone, consider the work you can actually do well. Prestige alone does not make an option suitable.

The poem, line by line

人扳高處求真果
Others climb high in search of true fruit.
我向低邊拾芥薑
I gather mustard greens and ginger down below.
媚奧不如去媚灶
Better to court the stove than the inner corner.
莫教涉獵逞英豪
Do not range about just to show yourself a hero.

English translation by kaucim.ai. The explanation below describes our reading of the poem.

Words and references

The third line echoes the stove-and-inner-corner saying in Analects 3.13. In that passage, Confucius replies to the saying rather than simply endorsing it. Our reading of this poem follows its contrast between distant ambition and practical provision; it is not advice to flatter powerful people. 芥薑 is rendered as mustard greens and ginger. The fourth line describes roaming or dabbling to display prowess.

Classical reference: Analects, Ba Yi, passage 13.

Bring it back to your question

Compare the attractive option with one that meets an immediate need. Write down the actual work, resources, and obligations each would involve.

You can use the poem to reflect on a situation. It cannot confirm a future event or decide another person's intentions.

Text and source notes

Chinese text and grade: Chinese Temples Committee, Che Kung stick 38. Compared with the independent 96-stick text in our July 2026 corpus review.

Line 1 ends with 果 (fruit) in the CTC text; the comparison source has 菜 (vegetables).
Line 2 has 薑 (ginger) in the CTC text; the comparison source has 羌.
Line 4 has 涉 in the CTC text; the comparison source has 步.

English edition: 2026-09-05. The translation and interpretation are independently written by kaucim.ai. There is no official temple affiliation or authorization.