Stick #63: More Ill Than Good (Unfavorable)
凶多吉少势分明，凡事宁防勿侥幸。收缩战线守根本，待时而后可伸行。
Plain reading
Ill fortune outweighs good — guard against harm rather than chase gain. Pull back, defend what matters, and wait for a better season before advancing again.
Interpretation
This is an unfavorable lot titled "More Ill Than Good." The tide clearly favors misfortune — attack is unwise, defense is wise. "Pull back and guard the root; advance again when fortune turns" means preserve what you have and wait for better days.
Advice
List three roots you cannot lose — health, core relationships, basic cash flow — everything else may wait. Plan for the worst and keep retreat open.
From The Art of War: "First make yourself unconquerable, then wait for the enemy's conquerable moment" — establish invulnerability first, then await opportunity; defense is the higher strategy.