Stick #38
Moderately Good陶淵明辭官歸隱
Tao Yuanming Resigns from Office to Return to Seclusion
Quitting his busy office, leisurely sailed the poet home, Through not spacious, his little cottage pleased him well.
Often he relished poetry and wine by the south window; For the beauty of the mountains he'd go for a lazy stroll.
Asking about: Career
The Story Behind This Stick
Tao Yuanming was a 4th-century Chinese poet who worked as a county magistrate during the turbulent Eastern Jin Dynasty. After just 80 days in office, he famously quit his government position, declaring he wouldn't 'bow down for five pecks of rice' — meaning he refused to compromise his principles for a salary. He returned to his family farm and became one of China's greatest pastoral poets, writing about the simple pleasures of rural life.
His resignation letter became legendary: 'I realize that what's past cannot be remedied, but I know that what's to come can still be pursued.' Tao chose contentment over conventional success, poverty over prestige. His story represents the eternal tension between worldly achievement and personal fulfillment, making him a symbol of integrity and the courage to choose your own path over society's expectations.
This stick suggests your career path is pointing toward simplicity rather than complexity. Like Tao Yuanming, you might be feeling the pull away from corporate politics, endless meetings, or work that doesn't align with your values. The timing isn't right for big promotions or dramatic career leaps — 'fame cannot be attained' right now.
But that's actually good news. Your current situation calls for stepping back and finding satisfaction in smaller, more meaningful work. Maybe that's freelancing instead of climbing the corporate ladder, or taking a role that pays less but gives you actual work-life balance.
A colleague of mine left her marketing director job last year to become a high school teacher. Everyone thought she was crazy until they saw how much happier she became. The stick hints that 'wealth will gradually come' — not through aggressive career moves, but through patient, steady work that actually suits who you are.
Your professional contentment lies in doing work that feels authentic, even if it looks less impressive on LinkedIn. This is about finding your version of Tao's cottage by the mountains.
What To Do Next
Start saying no to projects that drain your energy without adding real value to your career. Look for opportunities that offer autonomy over prestige. If you're job hunting, prioritize company culture and work-life balance over salary bumps.
Consider roles in smaller organizations where you can have more impact. Schedule regular time away from work to reconnect with what actually motivates you — not what you think should motivate you. The mountains in the poem aren't metaphorical; get outside and think clearly about what you actually want from your career.
Sometimes the best career move is the one that looks like you're moving backward.
What you feel reading this is already part of the answer.
Next comes specific guidance — when to act, how to move, what to watch for.
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Further Reading
FAQ
- Is Stick #38 (Moderately Good) good or bad?
- "Moderately Good" is a middle-tier fortune. It suggests your situation has room for growth but requires attention and direction. The real value is in the specific guidance — fortune sticks are tools for self-reflection, not prediction.
- How accurate is Wong Tai Sin Stick #38 for career?
- Fortune sticks work as a mirror for self-reflection rather than prediction. If the interpretation resonates with you, that's the stick doing its job — revealing what you already sense but haven't articulated.
- Can I draw fortune sticks for the same question again?
- Traditionally, you should ask about the same matter only once. Drawing repeatedly often means you're seeking the answer you want rather than the guidance you need. To explore different angles, try a different life topic for the same stick number.