AT&T, Inc. T under CEO Randall L. Stephenson
|
6 |
XX |
H |
H |
T |
XX |
3 |
3 |
2 |
XX |
8 |
|
5 |
|
H |
T |
T |
|
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
7 |
|
4 |
|
H |
H |
T |
|
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
8 |
|
3 |
|
H |
H |
T |
|
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
8 |
|
2 |
|
H |
T |
T |
|
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
7 |
|
1 |
|
H |
H |
H |
|
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
9 |
THE HEXAGRAM
HEXAGRAM 60 – Chieh – Limitation
Above K’AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Below TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
A lake occupies a limited space. When more water comes into it, it overflows. Therefore limits must be set for the water. The image shows water below and water above, with the firmament between them as a limit.
The Chinese word for limitation really denotes the joints that divide a bamboo stalk. In relation to ordinary life it means the thrift that sets fixed limits upon expenditures. In relation to the moral sphere it means the fixed limits that the superior man sets upon his actions – the limits of loyalty and disinterestedness.
THE JUDGMENT
LIMITATION.
Success.
Galling limitation must not be persevered in.
Limitations are troublesome, but they are effective. If we live economically in normal times, we are prepared for times of want. To be sparing saves us from humiliation. Limitations are also indispensable in the regulation of world conditions. In nature there are fixed limits for summer and winter, day and night, and these limits give the year its meaning. In the same way, economy, by setting fixed limits upon expenditures, acts to preserve property and prevent injury to the people.
But in limitation we must observe due measure. If a man should seek to impose galling limitations upon his own nature, it would be injurious. And if he should go too far in imposing limitations on others, they would rebel. Therefore it is necessary to set limits even upon limitations
THE IMAGE
Water over lake: the image of LIMITATION.
Thus the superior man
Creates number and measure,
And examines the nature of virtue and correct conduct.
A lake is something limited. Water is inexhaustible. A lake can contain only a definite amount of the infinite quantity of water; this is its peculiarity. In human life too the individual achieves significance through discrimination and the setting of limits. Therefore what concerns us here is the problem of clearly defining these discriminations, which are, so to speak, the backbone of morality. Unlimited possibilities are not suited to man; if they existed, his life would only dissolve in the boundless. To become strong, a man’s life needs the limitations ordained by duty and voluntarily accepted. The individual attains significance as a free spirit only by surrounding himself with these limitations and by determining for himself what his duty is.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Not going out of the door and the courtyard
Is without blame.
Often a man who would like to undertake something finds himself confronted by insurmountable limitations. Then he must know where to stop. If he rightly understands this and does not go beyond the limits set for him, he accumulates an energy that enables him, when the proper time comes, to act with great force. Discretion is of prime importance in preparing the way for momentous things.
Concerning this, Confucius says:
Where disorder develops, words are the first steps. If the prince is not discreet, he loses his servant. If the servant is not discreet, he loses his life. If germinating things are not handled with discretion, the perfecting of them is impeded. Therefore the superior man is careful to maintain silence and does not go forth.
THE MOVING HEXAGRAM
HEXAGRAM 29 – K’an – The Abysmal (Water)
Above K’AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Below K’AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
This hexagram consists of a doubling of the trigram K’an. It is one of the eight hexagrams in which doubling occurs. The trigram K’an means a plunging in. A yang line has plunged in between two yin lines and is closed in by them like water in a ravine. The trigram K’an is also the middle son. The Receptive has obtained the middle line of the Creative, and thus K’an develops. As an image it represents water, the water that comes from above and is in motion on earth in streams and rivers, giving rise to all life on earth.
In man’s world K’an represents the heart, the soul locked up within the body, the principle of light inclosed in the dark – that is, reason. The name of the hexagram, because the trigram is doubled, has the additional meaning, “repetition of danger.” Thus the hexagram is intended to designate an objective situation to which one must become accustomed, not a subjective attitude. For danger due to a subjective attitude means either foolhardiness or guile. Hence too a ravine is used to symbolize danger; it is a situation in which a man is in the same pass as the water in a ravine, and, like the water, he can escape if he behaves correctly.
THE JUDGMENT
The Abysmal repeated.
If you are sincere, you have success in your heart,
And whatever you do succeeds.
Through repetition of danger we grow accustomed to it. Water sets the example for the right conduct under such circumstances. It flows on and on, and merely fills up all the places through which it flows; it does not shrink from any dangerous spot nor from any plunge, and nothing can make it lose its own essential nature. It remains true to itself under all conditions. Thus likewise, if one is sincere when confronted with difficulties, the heart can penetrate the meaning of the situation. And once we have gained inner mastery of a problem, it will come about naturally that the action we take will succeed. In danger all that counts is really carrying out all that has to be done – thoroughness – and going forward, in order not to perish through tarrying in the danger.
Properly used, danger can have an important meaning as a protective measure. Thus heaven has its perilous height protecting it against every attempt at invasion, and earth has its mountains and bodies of water, separating countries by their dangers. Thus also rulers make use of danger to protect themselves against attacks from without and against turmoil within.
THE IMAGE
Water flows on uninterruptedly and reaches its goal: The image of the Abysmal repeated.
Thus the superior man walks in lasting virtue
And carries on the business of teaching.
Water reaches its goal by flowing continually. It fills up every depression before it flows on. The superior man follows its example; he is concerned that goodness should be an established attribute of character rather than an accidental and isolated occurrence. So likewise in teaching others everything depends on consistency, for it is only through repetition that the pupil makes the material his own.
AT&T, Inc.
208 South Akard Street
Dallas, TX 75202-4206
United States – Map
Phone: 210-821-4105
Website: http://www.att.com
Details
Index Membership: Dow Jones Composite
Dow Industrials
Sector: Technology
Industry: Telecom Services – Domestic
Full Time Employees: 281,000
Mr. Randall L. Stephenson , 50, Chairman, Chief Exec. Officer, Pres and Chairman of Exec. Committee
Business Summary
AT&T Inc. provides telecommunication products and services to consumers, businesses, and other telecommunication service providers under the AT&T brand worldwide. The companys Wireless segment offers wireless voice communications services, including local wireless communications, long-distance, and roaming services with various postpaid and prepaid service plans. This segment also supplies various handsets, wirelessly enabled computers, personal computer wireless data cards, and accessories. Its Wireline segment offers voice services, including local and long-distance services, calling card, 1-800 services, conference calling, wholesale switched access service, caller ID, call waiting, and voice mail services. This segment also provides data services, such as switched and dedicated transport, Internet access and network integration, and data equipment; high-speed connections comprising private lines, packet, dedicated Internet, and enterprise networking services, as well as DSL/broadband, dial-up Internet access, and WiFi products; businesses voice applications over IP-based networks; and local, interstate, and international wholesale networking capacity to other service providers. In addition, Wireline segment offers Web hosting, application management, security service, integration services, customer premises equipment, outsourcing, government-related services, satellite video, and U-verse television services. The companys Advertising and Publishing segment publishes Yellow and White Pages directories; and sells directory and Internet-based advertising and local search. Further, AT&T provides multi-enterprise collaboration services to businesses in various industries, including retail, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, and telecommunication. The company was formerly known as SBC Communications Inc. and changed its name to AT&T Inc. in November 2005 as a result of merger with AT&T Corp. The company was founded in 1983 and is based in Dallas, Texas.
