A Book of Ethics
The I Ching is a book of ethics.
It teaches us that the practice of virtues is the WAY (TAO) to become an ideal (Superior) man.
Indeed, such a high ideal is not only possible, but attainable. Confucius became one of the wisest men the world has ever known by practicing the virtues and one of the most revered figures in the history of mankind by teaching others how to practice them.
Why did Confucius love the I Ching so much and why did he dedicate such an important part of his life to study it? Because of the I Ching’s emphasis on ethics and virtues. That is, for the same reasons the world so desperately needs it today.
As a book of ethics, the I Ching instructs us on the way (TAO) we should behave during the good as well as during the bad times.
During the “seven fat cows” Time-Space period (Yang), the Oracle demands we should be humble and thrifty to prepare for the inevitable arrival of the downturn. And during the “seven sleek cows” Time–Space period (Yin), the Oracle demands we should be hopeful and steadfast to prepare for the inevitable arrival of the upturn. The correct attitude, then, is to be aware of the cyclicality of the Universe: living virtuously in the present while preparing for the future.
Warren Buffett easily comes to mind. During his Yang Time–Spaces, he has always been humble by never bragging about his massive wealth and he has always been thrifty by always living in his modest 50 year old home. Thus, he prepares for the inevitable arrival of the downturn (be fearful when others are greedy). And, during his Yin Time–Spaces, he has always been hopeful that the cycle will eventually turn positive and he has always been steadfast in his adherence to his principles. Thus, he prepares for the inevitable arrival of the upturn (be greedy when others are fearful).
Compare that with the shameful behavior of the Wall Street bankers. During their Yang Time – Space, they were proud, arrogant, greedy and wasteful, seeking more gains regardless of who was harmed, buying fabulous toys such as jets and mansions and throwing obscene parties to flaunt their wealth. And during their Ying Time–Space, they went on their knees begging the government to save them, showing signs of despair instead of hopefulness and of an erratic and shameful behavior instead of steadfastness. Many financial institutions come to mind but Goldman Sachs has become the classic example of unethical behavior; an unethical behavior which unfortunately has only brought about mostly superficial changes based on emotional responses such as the Dodd – Frank Act, the Occupy Wall Street movement and Harvard’s new courses on ethics. Will such changes save us from the next crash or financial collapse?
This manual on managing and investing with the I Ching is also about ethics. It is about studying the wisdom of the past, understanding its code of ethics and applying it to the present so that we may become better persons and thereby better CEOs and investors.
The I Ching says: “In the words and deeds of the past there lies hidden a treasure that men may use to strengthen and elevate their own characters. The way to study the past is not to confine oneself to mere knowledge of history but, through application of this knowledge, to give actuality to the past”.
