"The Analects" in Detail: For All Those Who Misinterpret Confucius (66)

2007/6/13 8:22:58

The Master said: While parents are alive, do not travel afar to perilous places; if one insists on going, there will surely be curses.

Yang Bojun: Confucius said: "While parents are alive, do not travel far. If you must travel far, you must have a definite destination."

Qian Mu: The Master said: "While parents are alive, do not travel far. If you must travel far, you should have a fixed direction."

Li Zehou: Confucius said: "While parents are alive, do not go far afield. If you go, there must be a definite direction."

Detailed Explanation: All three interpret "方" (fāng) as "direction, location, or destination," but here "方" is a phonetic loan for "谤" (bàng, meaning to curse or slander). This is not an isolated case in the Analects — for example, "子贡方人" uses the same meaning. "远" (yuǎn) does not refer to great distance, but to remote and perilous places. "游" (yóu) here refers to "traveling to study" (游学).

The sentence means: while parents are still alive, even for something as meaningful as "traveling to study," if it involves putting oneself in danger by going to remote perilous places, Confucius was against it. If one insists on going, then there will be "谤" — curses, either from other people or from fate. The saying "those who commit many injustices will meet their own destruction" is also a kind of curse.

What Confucius says here is very plain. For a family, the continuation of the family line is very important. Don't think this is feudal thinking — imagine if everyone died without offspring: would humanity still exist? The only correction needed is that family continuation need not be male-based; females count equally. In ancient times, people's lifespans were relatively short. While parents are alive, the most important thing for the family is to seize the time to continue the family line. Anything that puts oneself in danger is absolutely inadvisable. Even if the line has been continued, if one puts oneself in danger and causes white-haired parents to bury their black-haired child, that is the greatest possible unfilial act under heaven. This applies equally to both men and women.

Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán's Vernacular Translation

The Master said: While parents are alive, do not travel afar to perilous places; if one insists on going, there will surely be curses.

Confucius said: "While parents are alive, even for studying abroad, one must not go to remote and perilous places — otherwise one will surely invite curses from others or from fate."

The Master said: One's parents' ages must not go unknown—on one hand there is joy, on the other there is fear.

Yang Bojun: Confucius said: "Parents' ages must always be kept in mind: on one hand [for their longevity] one is glad, on the other hand [due to their advanced age] one fears."

Qian Mu: The Master said: "Your parents' ages — you must always keep them in your heart! When you think of it, there is both joy and apprehension."

Li Zehou: Confucius said: "One's parents' ages must not be unknown. On one hand there is joy, on the other fear."

Detailed Explanation: "Filial piety" is a present-moment, directly manifested emotion, and this chapter provides the most plain description of this. "知" (zhī) — composed of "口" (mouth) beside "矢" (arrow), meaning "things known and recognized can come out of the mouth as fast as arrows" — i.e., "recognized, known things can be blurted out like arrows." "父母之年" — parents' ages. "不可不知" — must be able to blurt them out instantly. Can you immediately, without thinking, state your parents' ages? This is something the vast majority of people cannot do.

What can be blurted out? Naturally, things that are constantly on one's mind, things that are one with one's body, heart, and emotions. Our bodies come from our parents, raised by our parents — naturally one with them in body, heart, and emotion. If one cannot even blurt out "父母之年," how can one claim to be "filial"? The "年" here, besides referring to age, also includes certain dates related to parents — for example, their birthdays, as well as our own birth dates. Some might wonder: how is our birth date related to parents? Actually, our birth date, for parents — especially mothers — is a day of suffering. In ancient times this was even more obvious, as mothers dying from poor birthing conditions were not uncommon. Even in safe births, the suffering of childbirth is one of life's greatest pains.

And this present-moment emotion is "一则以喜，一则以惧" — it is "悲欣交集" (a mingling of joy and sorrow). In truth, all matters of human life are like this — "one part joy, one part fear," "joy and sorrow intermingled." Humans are neither pure suffering nor pure happiness — having both suffering and joy is what makes one human. According to the Six Realms of Reincarnation view, the hungry ghost realm and hell are pure suffering, the heavenly realm is pure bliss — neither is suitable for spiritual practice and awakening. Only the human realm has both suffering and joy, "joy and sorrow intermingled," which is why it is said that a human body is rare and precious. Having obtained this rare human form yet not walking the righteous path is like a blind turtle encountering a floating piece of wood with a hole and ignoring it — how can one not drift through countless kalpas of suffering? If one doesn't even possess the most basic emotion of "filial piety," how can one be human? How can one walk the righteous path? Confucius and the Analects, though not the most ultimate of doctrines, start from this most basic place — and that is the most plain and practicable approach.

Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán's Vernacular Translation

The Master said: One's parents' ages must not go unknown—on one hand there is joy, on the other there is fear.

Confucius said: "Parents' ages, birthdays, and the like — one must keep them constantly in mind, enough to blurt them out. This present-moment emotion carries both joy and fear, a mingling of gladness and apprehension."

Appendix:

Today was a major changing of the guard — bears turning bull, those breaking even and exiting first — all perfectly normal. Today the market's movement was very technical. The 13,700+point level attracted Shenzhen, and 4,144 points acted on Shanghai in both morning and afternoon sessions. Since a gap was left in the short term, during the remainder of the week this gap carries the most important short-term technical significance, and further oscillation is inevitable. Of course, from a purely technical standpoint, this oscillation is necessary — without a thorough changing of the guard, the rally cannot continue to develop. Additionally, sentiment and policy also need to be tested, which dovetails with the technical movement.

Regarding individual stocks, as mentioned yesterday, once 4,000 points is firmly held, third-tier stocks will gradually become active. Today some third-tier stocks started to move. As long as the broad market can maintain oscillation around 4,144 points, this kind of individual stock rotation will continue. Technically, the key is to watch the neckline positions of various bottom formations — this helps spot good stocks in the short term. During oscillation, definitely don't chase highs. Also, pay special attention to the Shenzhen movement. If Shenzhen can still hold above new highs by early next week, it will encourage Shanghai and the vast majority of stocks that haven't made new highs to push to new highs. Therefore, the key right now is whether the Shenzhen Component Index can hold steady during the next few days of oscillation — this is enormously significant in both short-term technical and psychological terms.

Today, that steel stock that was suspended came back. Many people here bought it the day before the suspension at just over 9 yuan. At least it saved everyone from the pain of getting shaken out, escaping one big drop. If you reacted fast this morning, you could still have over 10% profit. Originally, without this big drop, this stock would definitely have hit consecutive limit-ups. Now it just needs a washout first, letting those who need cash exit first — this is something you regularly face in market operations. The script occasionly needs revision. As for the subsequent movement, read the technical charts and you'll see.

Replies

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 8:24:47
Today's market analysis will be appended to this article after 3:30. Signing off, goodbye.

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 15:49:07

Today was a major changing of the guard — bears turning bull, those breaking even and exiting first — all perfectly normal. Today the market's movement was very technical. The 13,700 point level attracted Shenzhen, and 1444 points acted on Shanghai in both morning and afternoon sessions. Since a gap was left in the short term, during the remainder of the week this gap carries the most important short-term technical significance, and further oscillation is inevitable. Of course, from a purely technical standpoint, this oscillation is necessary — without a thorough changing of the guard, the rally cannot continue to develop. Additionally, sentiment and policy also need to be tested, which dovetails with the technical movement.

Regarding individual stocks, as mentioned yesterday, once 4,000 points is firmly held, third-tier stocks will gradually become active. Today some third-tier stocks started to move. As long as the broad market can maintain oscillation around 4,144 points, this kind of individual stock rotation will continue. Technically, the key is to watch the neckline positions of various bottom formations — this helps spot good stocks in the short term. During oscillation, definitely don't chase highs. Also, pay special attention to the Shenzhen movement. If Shenzhen can still hold above new highs by early next week, it will encourage Shanghai and all stocks that haven't made new highs to push to new highs. Therefore, the key right now is whether the Shenzhen Component Index can hold steady during the next few days of oscillation — this is enormously significant in both short-term technical and psychological terms.

Today, that steel stock that was suspended came back. Many people here bought it the day before the suspension at just over 9 yuan. At least it saved everyone from the pain of getting shaken out, escaping one big drop. If you reacted fast this morning, you could still have over 10% profit. Originally, without this big drop, this stock would definitely have hit consecutive limit-ups. Now it just needs a washout first, letting those who need cash exit first — this is something you regularly face in market operations. The script occasionally needs revision. As for the subsequent movement, read the technical charts and you'll see.

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 15:57:01

[Anonymous] 50年以前

2007-06-13 15:31:53
Is Sister Chan here? Please definitely answer my question.
Sister Chan, today at 10:20 I saw divergence and reduced my position. Who knew at 10:44 it shot straight back up. If I add back now my cost will definitely be higher. How to avoid this kind of situation? If I don't operate, it might drop to fill the gap, meaning there could be a significant decline.

==

First, figure out what level it is. Small-level consolidation divergence can be resolved by a quick intraday bounce. In the past when fees were cheaper, you could hedge a bit. Now, if your technique isn't good, there's no need. The key is to identify larger divergences — ones that give your operations enough room.

For small capital, with so many stocks, even if you make an error, finding a newly launching stock during the afternoon's intraday oscillation is not at all difficult. The key is to choose buy points at a larger level. Operationally you must remember: as long as you're selling at a profit, there's no right or wrong. With so many stocks, you can always find one with a better buy point — no need to hang yourself on one tree.

Of course, if your technique were better, you wouldn't have these troubles at all. That requires continuous practice and refinement.

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 15:57:50

[Anonymous] Summer子

2007-06-13 15:55:26
"13,700 points attracted Shenzhen, and 1444 points acted on Shanghai in morning and afternoon sessions."
Shouldn't it be 4144 points?

-
Sorry, wrote it backwards. It's 4144.

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 16:05:37

[Anonymous] 白玉兰

2007-06-13 15:58:58
Hello sister!

Yesterday we discussed 899 here, and today I saw some people followed along.

After saying it I felt a bit regretful — afraid of misleading others.

What does sister think?
==

Jiangxi — this ID just visited there. It's a good stock, but the key is finding a good buy point. Buying at 9 yuan versus 11 yuan creates very different operational pressure. If you chase, any stock becomes a bad stock. So the key isn't which stock — it's keeping your operations level-headed.

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 16:10:02

[Anonymous] hunter

2007-06-13 16:00:05
I'm still somewhat worried about policy. Rumors say the government wants to keep it below 5,000 by year-end. But based on your current script, MM, 5,000 probably can't hold at all. Would this invite another crackdown, like a capital gains tax?

=
Stay calm about news and policy. The key is: when something appears technically wrong, you must exit. For example, this time — even if you had a very heavy position, one second-type sell point on the 30th was enough to escape. Then on the 5th, a standard buy point to re-enter. Do the math — you should actually be grateful for this policy. So the key isn't what the policy does, but what your technique does. Policy is just one component of the resultant force; the movement is what the resultant force draws out.

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 16:14:39

[Anonymous] stone

2007-06-13 16:09:42
Ever since Liverpool lost, things haven't gone well.
Haven't sold the bear's medicine, and cash is tied up in that steel stock. Completely missed this rebound wave.
LZ, can you say something about the bear's medicine?

==

607 happened to reach the double below 26, and this ID started hammering — that's just habit, shouldn't have. The bear stock hasn't broken out — mid-term no problem, this ID still has a lot, though at zero cost. The steel stock, for those who aren't good at operations, actually saved your life — at least you don't lose money and don't have to worry all day. Of course, for those with good technique, different story.

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 16:19:28

[Anonymous] 银行干啥呢

2007-06-13 16:13:29
Master Chan, when Shanghai banks pulled this afternoon, Shenzhen wasn't cooperating. I felt the power of technique — at that point, technically Shenzhen couldn't follow, so it pulled Shanghai back down too. Later, it seemed to cooperate with Shanghai briefly. I remember you said banks would have their run in the second half. For something like Industrial Bank, which shows a buy point on the daily chart — is it necessary to enter this early? After all, the second half is still far away, but the buy point seems to have appeared already. Can you provide guidance?
==
Banks are definitely fine — it's just whether you have the patience. So the question ultimately comes back to your operational level. If you're standing at the daily level, of course no problem. If you're ultra-short-term, then any random oversold stock might perform better.

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 16:23:21

[Anonymous] 白玉兰

2007-06-13 16:21:10
Reporting to sister:

My mom's apartment has been purchased — total with renovation was 100,000.

Should be ready to move in by end of July.

==
Good.

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 16:24:32

Sorry, it's 4:30. This ID has nothing to do in the evenings this week — a pile of indulgence lessons to catch up on, must leave immediately.

Signing off, see you tomorrow morning.

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 16:26:59

[Anonymous] 这次要看见

2007-06-13 16:24:06
My hands are sore from typing. Asking Master Chan once more: the daily-level hub's segments A and B have already played out. Will segment C be triggered by the gap, or will it come after a new high?

==
Before I go, let me answer this one. What do you mean by "daily-level hub has played out"? This oscillation hasn't even formed a daily hub yet — the level isn't enough.

Signing off, goodbye.

缠中说禅 2007/6/13 17:20:08
"As for the subsequent movement, read the technical charts and you'll see." Everyone can ponder what this sentence means.