30. The-Clinging

The Lines
Bottom. [9] When a man first awakens to the proper ways of living, things are not clear, and
there is some degree of confusion. He tries to discern the workings of fate and life, but his
conclusions tend to contradict one another. With his day-to-day involvement in the world,
everything descends upon him at once. Clarity is demanded of him, but it is difficult to
come by. At such a stage, it is important that the man remain calm and not allow himself to
be rushed. If he maintains his tranquility and contemplates each situation carefully and in
order, the necessary clarity will come in time. It is the beginning where the greatest difficulty
lies. Once he becomes accustomed to observing his environment with insight and
wisdom, his mind will develop clarity and things will begin to fall into place. It is at the beginning
that clear vision approached quietly and calmly is so important, because how can
he develop the habits of mind that accompany wisdom if he does not begin carefully and
thoroughly?
2. [6] The man is able to approach all things in his environment with moderation, and this
bodes well. He calmly and quietly contemplates all his involvements and is able to follow
the path of wisdom. Clarity is evident in all that he does. Calmness and moderation attract
good fortune.
3. [9] The man contemplates his mortality and realizes that his life might soon be over. If he
clings to this life, these realizations have a disturbing effect upon him. Instead of the sense
of freedom that allows him to accept life if it comes, or to accept death if it comes, he feels
profound regret at the thought of the passing of his life and the end of his existence on this
earth. In his desperation, he may try to banish such thoughts by frantically seeking out all
the pleasures that life affords, or he may withdraw into himself with self-pity and sadness.
Either of those choices undermines the real meaning of growing older. The superior man is
not concerned whether death comes sooner or later. He realizes that the important thing is
what his life consists of as he lives it, and feels certain that whether the rightful path brings
death sooner or later, he is determined upon that path and will accept whatever is the natural
consequence thereof. His focus is on the acquisition of wisdom, and he welcomes wherever
that search leads him.
4. [9] If a man in his anxiety to experience as much of life as he can, or to accomplish as
many great works as he can, burns himself out too quickly, the lasting effect of his effort
will be less than if he had approached things more slowly, carefully, and thoroughly. By
consuming himself so quickly, he does not give his work time to settle in, to become well
established, and to form a broad and solid foundation. On the other hand, a series of great
works, developed over a long period of time, become well-established, like a monument.

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