一、医家十要∶
一存仁心，乃是良箴，博施济众，惠泽斯深。
二通儒道，儒医世宝，道理贵明，群书当考。
三精脉理，宜分表里，指下既明，沉 可起。
四识病原，生死敢言，医家至此，始至专门。
五知气运，以明岁序，补泻温凉，按时处治。
六明经络，认病不错，脏腑洞然，今之扁鹊。
七识药性，立方应病，不辨温凉，恐伤性命。
八会炮制，火候详细，太过不及，安危所系。
九莫嫉妒，因人好恶，天理昭然，速当悔晤。
十匆重利，当存仁义，贫富虽殊，药施无二。
一、病家十要∶
一择明医，于病有裨，不可不慎，生死相随。
二肯服药，诸病可却，有等愚人，自家担搁。
三宜早治，始则容易，履霜不谨，坚冰即至。
四绝空房，自然无疾，倘若犯之，神医无术。
五戒恼怒，必须省悟，怒则火起，难以救获。
六息妄想，须当静养，念虑一除，精神自爽。
七节饮食，调理有则，过则伤神，太饱难克。
八慎起居，交际当祛，稍若劳役，元气愈虚。
九莫信邪，信之则差，异端诳诱，惑乱人家。
十勿惜费，惜之何谓，请问君家，命财孰贵。
一、医家、病家通病
一、南方人有患病者，每延医至家诊视后，止索一方，
命人购药于市。不论药之真伪，有无炮制辄用。服之不效，不责己之非，唯责医之庸，明日遂易一医。
如是者数致使病症愈增，而医人亦惑乱，莫知其所以误也。吁！此由病家之过欤，亦医家之不明欤？
一、北方人有患病者，每延医至家，不论病之轻重，乃授一二金而索一二剂，刻时奏效。否则，
即复他求，朝秦暮楚。殊不知人禀有虚实，病感有浅深，且夫感冒腠理之疾；一二剂可愈。至于内伤
劳痛瘵之症，岂可一二剂可愈哉？此习俗之弊，误于人者多矣，唯智者辨之。
一、医道，古称仙道也。原为活人，今世之医，多不知此义。每于富者用心，贫者忽略，此非医
者之恒情，殆非仁术也。以余论之，医乃生死所寄，责任匪轻，岂可因其贫富而我之浓薄哉？告我同志者，
当以太上好生之德为心，慎勿论贫富。均是活人，是亦阴功也。
一、凡病家延医，乃寄之以生死，礼当敬重，慎勿轻藐。贫富不在论财，自尽其诚，稍亵之，则非
重命者耳。更有等背义之徒，本得医人之力，病愈思财，假言昨作何福易于某人之药。所为吝财之计，
不归功于一人。吁！使不得其利，又不得其名，此辈之心，亦不仁之甚矣。
一、常见今时之人，每求医治，令患者卧于暗室帷 之中，并不告以所患，止令切脉。至于妇人，
多不之见，岂能察其声色？更以锦帕之类护其手，而医者又不屑于问，纵使问之，亦不说，此非所以求
其愈病，将欲难其医乎。殊不知古之神医，尚且以望、闻、问、切四者，缺一不可识病。况今之医未必如
古之神，安得以一切脉而洞知脏腑也耶？余书此奉告世之患病者，延医至家，罄告其所患，令医者对症切
脉，了然无疑，则用药无不效矣。昔东坡云∶“吾求愈疾而
已，岂以困医为事哉！
一、吾道中有等无行之徒，专一夸己之长，形人之短。每至病家，不问疾 ，唯毁前医之过，以骇患者。
设使前医用药尽是，何复他求？盖为一时，或有所偏，未能奏效，岂可概将前药为庸耶？夫医为仁道，
况授受相传，原系一体同道。虽有毫末之差，彼此亦当护 。慎勿訾毁，斯不失忠浓之心也。戒之戒之！
一、人道至要∶
存心以仁为主，修己以敬为主，
慎独以诚为主，克欲以刚为主，
出语以确为主，制行以清为主，
接物以恭为主，处事以义为主，
容貌以壮为主，衣冠以正为主，
饮食以节为主，滋味以淡为主，
起居以早为主，步履以安为主，
坐卧以常为主，游览以适为主，
读书以勤为主，作文以精为主，
穷经以理为主，观史以断为主，
吟诗以情为主，立言以训为主，
学术以儒为主，异端以关为主，
日用以俭为主，交际以称为主，
辞受以礼为主，事君以忠为主，
事亲以孝为主，兄弟以让为主，
子孙以教为主，妻外家以分为主，
男女以别为主，宗党以睦为主，
朋友以信为主，故旧以浓为主，
食之以济为主，争斗以释为主，
祀先以思为主，祭神以齐为主，
御下以恩为主，奉上以谨为主，
处常以经为主，处变以权为主，
守官以廉为主，御众以恕为主，
行政以德为主，教民以伦为主，
断狱以哭为主，使民以时为主，
税敛以薄为主，形罪以省为主，
良善以旌为主，奸宄以惩为主，
民财以惜为主，民力以宽为主，
田上以垦为主，蚕桑以植为主，
城廓以完为主， 以宁为主，
盗贼以息为主，流移以还为主，
兵甲以缮为主，士卒以练为主，
马政以孳为主，盐铁以均为主，
商贾以通为主，交易以平为主，
器皿以备为主，材木以储为主，
鱼鳖以蕃为主，鸡豕以育为主，
桥梁以葺为主，道路以平为主，
关市以积为主，河漕以疏为主，
边塞以防为主，夷犯以霸为主。
一、间评世病∶
常见人家子弟，在于父母之前有因分财产而怨父母不均者，有听妒妻言而怨父母不慈者，
有摭实己过而怨父母不道者，有放肆奢侈而怨父母拘管者，有饮酒嫖赌而怨父母钤束者，
有私其妻而罔顾父母衣食者，有浓于外戚而薄于父母用度者，有兄弟执定轮养而致父母饥寒者，
有父劳于耕收，母
劳于井臼，夫妻闲过而还说父母不是者，有父母患病不请医药而借言老疾难治者，有父母衰老不行扶劳而
辄言应该作蛊者。若此之类，难以备述。鸣呼！父母在日，不行孝敬，视如路人，及至殁后，却乃披麻带孝，
扬声号哭，请僧供佛，修斋追荐，盛张鼓乐，唱戏暖伴，置备佳肴，美馔，异果醇浆，侍奉宾客，恐不
尽情，扎造楼碑，做纸马人等物，炫目壮观。徒有千金之费，全无一毫之益。语云∶生事之以礼，死葬之
以礼，祭之以礼。不遵大圣之成言，且悖文公之家礼；不唯取讥于达者，抑且贻笑于大邦。端书兹数句，
谨白世人一览，有则改之，无则加勉。暗室亏心，神会搜检，祸福报应，不错半点。言虽不文，意思浮浅，
世病可革，古风可迁，慎之！戒之！愚言可觇。
一、放肆训∶
尝见世人负少年豪气，胸襟高傲，言语刚强，将谓无人，唯知有己；眼空四海，欺侮一方；好仪人之
丑态，不责己之过失；口胜鱼肠利剑，舌赛吹毛快刀，尤善于拒谏 非，难逃乎乡间舆论。一日时衰运去，
祸起萧墙，常抱造次之惊，恒怀颠沛之厄，陷入重典，淹禁缧绁。浪费万贯，难求一生，盖为不仁之所召也。
呜呼！岂若遵礼惧法，屈己右人，存心恭敬，安分修德，使乡党称为端人乎。
一、斗讼训∶
窃见今人，偶因一言之忿不忍，或锱铢之利不均，则然斗殴构讼。夫我欲求胜于彼，则彼欲求胜于我矣。
仇仇相结，怨怨相报，遭官刑考讯，身罹重罪，久禁囹圄，苦不堪言，以致父母忧泣、兄弟愁悲、妻子惊哭、
朋友叹息，损千金而身命不保，尽百计而无隙可脱，破家荡产，祸贻儿孙，尚未已也。鸣呼！岂若念忍一时，
后退一步，饶让一着，庶几安家乐业，得享康福，使乡里称为善人乎。
一、医家十要：
一要心存仁爱，这是良医的箴言，广泛施予救济众人，恩惠泽被深厚。
二要通晓儒家之道，儒医是世间的珍宝，道理贵在明白，应当考据各类书籍。
三要精通脉理，应当分辨表里，手指下的脉象既然明了，沉疴也可治愈。
四要识别病因，敢于断言生死，医者达到这种境界，才算开始成为专家。
五要了解运气（五运六气），以明确岁序（年份的气候变化），根据时令进行补泻温凉的治疗。
六要明晓经络，认病不错，脏腑情况了然于胸，就是当今的扁鹊。
七要识得药性，处方应对病症，如果不辨别药物的温凉属性，恐怕会伤害性命。
八要掌握炮制方法，火候细节详尽，太过或不及，关系到安危。
九不要嫉妒，因为个人的好恶，天理昭然若揭，应当迅速悔改醒悟。
十不要看重利益，应当存留仁义之心，虽然贫富不同，用药对待应当没有二致。
一、病家十要：
一要选择明医，对病情有裨益，不可不谨慎，这关系到生死相随。
二要肯服药，各种疾病可以消除，有些愚人，自己耽误治疗。
三要尽早治疗，起初容易，如果履霜时不谨慎，坚冰就会到来（比喻病情加重）。
要戒绝房事，自然无病，倘若违反，神医也无办法。
五要戒除恼怒，必须省悟，发怒则火起，难以救治。
六要平息妄想，应当静养，念头思虑一旦清除，精神自然清爽。
七要节制饮食，调理有法则，过度则伤神，太饱难以消化。
八要谨慎起居，交际应当祛除，稍微劳累役使，元气更加虚弱。
九不要相信邪说，相信了就会出错，异端欺骗诱导，惑乱人家。
十不要吝惜费用，吝惜它做什么呢？请问您，生命和财富哪个更珍贵。
一、医家、病家通病
一、南方人有患病的，每次请医生到家诊视后，只索要一个方子，命令人在市场购药。不论药物真伪，有无经过炮制就使用。服用后无效，不责怪自己的错误，只责怪医生平庸，第二天就换一位医生。像这样多次致使病症增加，而医生也困惑混乱，不知道哪里误了。唉！这是病家的过错呢，还是医家不明呢？
一、北方人有患病的，每次请医生到家，不论病情轻重，就给一两金子索要一二剂药，要求立刻见效。否则，就再求他人，朝秦暮楚（反复无常）。殊不知人体禀赋有虚实，疾病感受有浅深，况且感冒是腠理（皮肤毛孔）的疾病；一二剂可以痊愈。至于内伤、劳损、疼痛、痨瘵（肺结核等慢性消耗性疾病）的症状，难道一二剂就能痊愈吗？这是习俗的弊端，误导人的地方很多，只有智者能辨别。
一、医道，古时候称为仙道。原本是为了救人，当今的医生，大多不知道这个意义。每每对富人用心，对穷人忽略，这不是医生的常情，近乎不是仁术了。依我看来，医学是寄托生死的地方，责任不轻，怎么能因为贫富而对我（指患者/病人）厚此薄彼呢？告诉我的同道中人，应当以太上老君好生之德为心念，千万不要谈论贫富。都是救人，这也是阴德啊。
一、凡是病家请医生，是把生死寄托给他，礼节上应当敬重，千万不要轻慢。贫富不在于谈论钱财，自己尽到诚心，稍微亵渎，就是不重视生命的人了。更有背信弃义的徒辈，本来得到医生的力量，病愈后想省钱，假话说昨天做了什么福报容易从某人那里买到药。作为吝啬钱财的计划，不把功劳归于一个人。唉！使他们既不得利，又不得名，这类人的心，也太不仁了。
一、常见现在的人，每次求医治，让患者躺在暗室帷帐之中，并不告诉医生所患什么病，只让切脉。至于妇人，大多不见面，怎么能观察她的声色？更用锦帕之类护住她的手，而医生又不屑于询问，纵使问，也不说，这不是用来求得病愈的方法，是想难为医生吗？殊不知古代的神医，尚且以望、闻、问、切四种方法缺一不可来识病。何况现在的医生未必如古代的神医，怎么能仅凭一切脉就洞察脏腑呢？我写这些奉告世间患病的人，请医生到家，详尽告知所患，让医生对症切脉，了然无疑，那么用药没有无效的。昔日苏东坡说：“我只求病愈罢了，哪里会把难为医生当作事做呢！”
一、我们道中有等无行之徒，专门夸耀自己的长处，显露别人的短处。每次到病家，不问病情，只诋毁前医的过失，来惊吓患者。假设前医用药全对，何必再求他人？大概是一时有所偏差，未能奏效，怎么能一概将前药视为平庸呢？医学是仁道，况且传授相传，原本是一体同道。虽然有毫毛末端的差异，彼此也应当保护。千万不要诋毁，这才不失忠厚之心。警戒啊警戒！
一、人道至要：
存心以仁爱为主，修己以恭敬为主，
慎独以诚实为主，克制欲望以刚强为主，
说话以确切为主，行为以清廉为主，
待人以谦恭为主，处事以正义为主，
容貌以庄重为主，衣冠以端正为主，
饮食以节制为主，滋味以清淡为主，
起居以早起为主，步履以安稳为主，
坐卧以常态为主，游览以舒适为主，
读书以勤奋为主，作文以精妙为主，
穷究经书以明理为主，观览历史以决断为主，
吟诗以情感为主，立言以训诫为主，
学术以儒家为主，排斥异端以关闭（门户）为主，
日用以节俭为主，交际以相当（得体）为主，
辞谢与接受以礼仪为主，侍奉君主以忠诚为主，
侍奉父母以孝顺为主，兄弟以谦让为主，
子孙以教育为主，妻子和外戚以本分为主，
男女以分别为主，宗族乡党以和睦为主，
朋友以诚信为主，故旧以浓厚为主，
食物以接济为主，争斗以释怀为主，
祭祀祖先以思念为主，祭神以斋戒为主，
驾驭下属以恩惠为主，侍奉上级以谨慎为主，
处于常态以常规为主，处于变故以权变为主，
守官以廉洁为主，统御众人以宽恕为主，
行政以德行为主，教化民众以伦理为主，
断案以哀怜为主，役使民众以适时为主，
税收以微薄为主，刑罚以省减为主，
良善以表彰为主，奸宄以惩罚为主，
民财以爱惜为主，民力以宽缓为主，
田地以上垦为主，蚕桑以种植为主，
城廓以完善为主，监狱以安宁为主，
盗贼以平息为主，流民以归还为主，
兵甲以修缮为主，士卒以训练为主，
马政以繁殖为主，盐铁以均平为主，
商贾以通达为主，交易以公平为主，
器皿以完备为主，材木以储备为主，
鱼鳖以繁衍为主，鸡猪以养育为主，
桥梁以修缮为主，道路以平整为主，
关市以积聚为主，河漕以疏通为主，
边塞以防备为主，夷狄侵犯以霸略（强力抵御）为主。
一、间评世病：
常见人家子弟，在父母面前有因分配财产而怨恨父母不均的，有听信嫉妒妻子的话而怨恨父母不慈爱的，有拾取自己过错而怨恨父母不道德的，有放肆奢侈而怨恨父母拘管严厉的，有饮酒嫖赌而怨恨父母管束的，有偏爱妻子而罔顾父母衣食的，有厚待外戚而薄待父母用度的，有兄弟坚持轮流赡养而导致父母饥寒的，有父亲劳作于耕收，母亲劳作于家务，夫妻闲过却说父母不是的，有父母患病不请医药而借言老疾难治的，有父母衰老不行扶劳而辄言应该作蛊毒害的。像这样的，难以全部叙述。呜呼！父母在世时，不行孝敬，视如路人，等到死后，却披麻戴孝，扬声号哭，请僧供佛，修斋追荐，盛大张设鼓乐，唱戏暖伴，置备佳肴美馔异果醇浆，侍奉宾客，恐怕不尽情，扎造楼碑，做纸马人等物，炫目壮观。徒有千金之费，全无一毫之益。俗语说：生事之以礼，死葬之以礼，祭之以礼。不遵循大圣的成言，且违背文公的家礼；不仅被通达者讥笑，而且贻笑于大国。端正写下这几句，谨慎告白世人一览，有则改之，无则加勉。暗室亏心，神灵会搜检，祸福报应，不错半点。言语虽不华丽，意思浮浅，世病可革除，古风可迁移，谨慎啊！警戒啊！愚言可察。
一、放肆训：
曾经见世人辜负少年豪气，胸襟高傲，言语刚强，以为无人，唯知有自己；眼空四海，欺侮一方；喜好议论他人的丑态，不责备自己的过失；口胜鱼肠利剑，舌赛吹毛快刀，尤其善于拒绝谏言和非议，难逃乎乡间舆论。一日时衰运去，祸起萧墙（内部发生祸乱），常抱造次之惊，恒怀颠沛之厄，陷入重典，淹禁缧绁（囚禁）。浪费万贯，难求一生，盖为不仁之所召也。呜呼！岂若遵礼惧法，屈己右人（委屈自己，尊让别人），存心恭敬，安分修德，使乡党称为端人乎。
一、斗讼训：
窃见今人，偶因一言之忿不忍，或锱铢之利不均，则毅然斗殴构讼。我想求胜于他，那么他也想求胜于我。仇仇相结，怨怨相报，遭受官刑拷讯，身罹重罪，久禁囹圄，苦不堪言，以致父母忧泣、兄弟愁悲、妻子惊哭、朋友叹息，损千金而身命不保，尽百计而无隙可脱，破家荡产，祸贻儿孙，尚未已也。呜呼！岂若念忍一时，后退一步，饶让一着，庶几安家乐业，得享康福，使乡里称为善人乎。
I. Ten Essentials for Physicians:
1. Maintain a benevolent heart; this is the maxim of a good physician. Extending aid and relieving others brings profound grace.
2. Understand Confucian principles; the Confucian physician is a treasure of the world. Principles must be clarified, and various books should be studied.
3. Master pulse diagnosis; distinguish between exterior and interior syndromes. Once the pulse under the fingers is clear, deep-seated diseases can be cured.
4. Identify the etiology of disease; dare to speak of life and death. When a physician reaches this level, they begin to specialize.
5. Know the Qi movements (Wu Yun Liu Qi); clarify the annual sequence. Apply tonification, purgation, warming, and cooling treatments according to the season.
6. Clarify the meridians; recognize diseases without error. With a thorough understanding of the Zang-Fu organs, one becomes like Bian Que of today.
7. Recognize the properties of herbs; prescribe formulas corresponding to the disease. Without distinguishing warm and cool properties, one may endanger life.
8. Be proficient in processing methods; pay attention to details of fire control. Excess or deficiency determines safety and danger.
9. Do not be jealous; due to personal preferences, heavenly principles are manifest. Repent and awaken quickly.
10. Do not value profit; preserve benevolence and righteousness. Although rich and poor differ, medical treatment should be impartial.
I. Ten Essentials for Patients:
1. Choose a competent physician; it benefits the illness. One must be cautious, as it concerns life and death.
2. Be willing to take medicine; various diseases can be eliminated. Some foolish people delay their own treatment.
3. Treat early; it is easier at the beginning. If one is not careful when stepping on frost, hard ice will arrive (metaphor for worsening condition).
4. Abstain from sexual intercourse; naturally, there will be no disease. If violated, even a divine physician has no method.
5. Avoid anger and irritation; one must reflect. Anger generates fire, making rescue difficult.
6. Cease delusional thoughts; one must rest quietly. Once thoughts and worries are removed, spirit naturally refreshes.
7. Regulate diet; regulate with rules. Excess harms the spirit; being too full is hard to digest.
8. Be cautious in daily life; remove social interactions. Slight labor exhausts the Yuan Qi (Original Qi).
9. Do not believe in heresies; believing leads to error. Heresies deceive and confuse families.
10. Do not begrudge expenses; what is the point of begrudging? I ask you, which is more precious, life or wealth?
I. Common Faults of Physicians and Patients
1. In the South, when people fall ill, they invite physicians home for consultation but only request one prescription, ordering someone to buy herbs in the market. Regardless of whether the herbs are genuine or processed, they use them directly. If ineffective, they do not blame themselves but accuse the physician of incompetence, changing doctors the next day. This repeated behavior worsens the condition, confusing the physicians who do not know where the error lies. Alas! Is this the fault of the patient or the lack of clarity of the physician?
1. In the North, when people fall ill, they invite physicians home regardless of severity, offering one or two taels of gold for one or two doses, demanding immediate effect. Otherwise, they seek other doctors, fluctuating like "morning Qin, evening Chu" (being fickle). They do not realize that human constitution varies in deficiency and excess, and diseases vary in depth. A common cold affecting the Cou Li (skin and pores) can be cured in one or two doses. However, internal injuries, fatigue pain, and Phthisis (consumptive diseases) cannot be cured in just one or two doses. This is a flaw in custom, misleading many; only the wise can discern it.
1. The Way of Medicine was anciently called the Way of Immortals. It originally aimed to save lives. Modern physicians often fail to understand this. They focus on the rich and ignore the poor. This is not the constant sentiment of a physician; it is hardly a benevolent art. In my opinion, medicine entrusts life and death; the responsibility is heavy. How can one treat patients differently based on wealth? I advise my colleagues to keep the virtue of Heaven in mind, which loves life, and never discriminate based on wealth. Saving lives is also accumulating hidden merit.
1. When patients invite physicians, they entrust their lives to them; respect is due. Do not be disrespectful. Wealth and poverty should not dictate financial discussion; one should exert sincerity. Any slight disrespect shows a disregard for life. There are also unrighteous people who, after recovering thanks to the physician, try to save money by falsely claiming they could have bought cheaper medicine elsewhere through some favor. This stingy plan denies credit to the physician. Alas! They gain neither profit nor reputation; such hearts are extremely unkind.
1. I often see modern people seeking treatment, having patients lie in dark rooms behind curtains, not informing the doctor of their symptoms, only allowing pulse taking. For women, face-to-face contact is often avoided; how can one observe their complexion and voice? Hands are covered with silk handkerchiefs, and physicians disdain to ask. Even if asked, patients do not answer. This does not help cure the disease but makes it difficult for the physician. Ancient divine physicians relied on Observation, Auscultation/Olfaction, Inquiry, and Palpation (Four Diagnostic Methods), none of which could be omitted. How can modern physicians, who are not necessarily like ancient sages, diagnose Zang-Fu conditions solely by palpating the pulse? I write this to advise patients: when inviting a physician, fully disclose your symptoms so the physician can take the pulse accurately. Then, medication will surely be effective. Su Dongpo once said, "I only seek recovery; why would I make things difficult for the physician?"
1. Among us, there are unprincipled individuals who boast of their strengths and expose others' weaknesses. At the patient's home, they do not inquire about the illness but slander the previous physician's mistakes to frighten the patient. If the previous physician's prescription was correct, why seek another? Perhaps there was a temporary deviation causing ineffectiveness; can one generally label the previous medicine as mediocre? Medicine is a benevolent way. Transmission and inheritance form a single community. Even with minor differences, one should protect each other. Do not slander; this preserves loyalty and kindness. Beware! Beware!
I. The Most Important Principles of Human Conduct:
Maintain benevolence in heart; cultivate self with reverence;
Be sincere in solitude; overcome desires with firmness;
Speak with accuracy; act with purity;
Treat objects with humility; handle affairs with righteousness;
Appearance should be dignified; attire should be proper;
Diet should be regulated; flavors should be light;
Rise early; walk steadily;
Sit and lie normally; travel comfortably;
Read diligently; write precisely;
Study classics for reason; view history for judgment;
Chant poetry with emotion; establish words for instruction;
Academics follow Confucianism; close doors to heterodoxy;
Daily life be frugal; social interaction be appropriate;
Decline and accept with propriety; serve the ruler with loyalty;
Serve parents with filial piety; siblings with yielding;
Educate descendants; wives and relatives with boundaries;
Men and women with distinction; clans with harmony;
Friends with trust; old acquaintances with warmth;
Food for relief; conflicts with resolution;
Ancestors with remembrance; gods with fasting/purity;
Subordinates with kindness; superiors with caution;
Normal times with routine; changes with flexibility;
Officials with integrity; masses with forgiveness;
Administration with virtue; people with ethics;
Judgments with compassion; conscription with timing;
Taxes with lightness; punishments with reduction;
Goodness with commendation; evil with punishment;
People's wealth with care; people's labor with leniency;
Fields with reclamation; sericulture with planting;
Walls with completion; prisons with peace;
Thieves with suppression; refugees with return;
Weapons with repair; soldiers with training;
Horses with breeding; salt and iron with equality;
Merchants with circulation; trade with fairness;
Utensils with preparation; timber with storage;
Fish and turtles with multiplication; chickens and pigs with raising;
Bridges with repair; roads with leveling;
Passes and markets with accumulation; rivers with dredging;
Frontiers with defense; barbarian invasion with force.
I. Comments on Worldly Ills:
I often see children complaining to parents about unequal property division, listening to jealous wives to complain about parents' lack of kindness, picking faults to complain about parents' immorality, being extravagant and complaining about parental strictness, drinking and gambling while complaining about parental restraint, favoring wives over parents' needs, favoring maternal relatives over parents' expenses, brothers insisting on轮流 support causing parents' hunger and cold, parents working hard in fields and kitchens while children idle and criticize, refusing medical help for sick parents by claiming old age is incurable, or accusing aging parents of poisoning. Such cases are too numerous to list. Alas! While parents live, one does not show filial piety, treating them like strangers; after death, one wears mourning clothes, cries loudly, invites monks, offers to Buddhas, holds memorial services, sets up drums and music, stages plays, prepares fine foods and drinks for guests, builds monuments, and makes paper effigies. All this costs thousands of taels but yields no benefit. As the saying goes: Serve them with ritual when alive, bury them with ritual when dead, sacrifice to them with ritual. Not following the Great Sage's words and violating Zhu Xi's family rites brings ridicule from the wise and laughter from great nations. I write these sentences to warn everyone: correct faults if present, strive if absent. Secret sins are examined by spirits; karma is exact. Though my words are plain, they can reform worldly ills and restore ancient customs. Beware! Beware! My humble words can be observed.
I. Admonition Against Arrogance:
I have seen people squandering their youthful vigor, possessing arrogant minds and strong speech, thinking no one exists except themselves; looking down on the world, bullying others; enjoying pointing out others' ugliness while ignoring their own faults; mouths sharper than fish-intestine swords, tongues faster than razor blades; especially good at rejecting advice and criticism, unable to escape public opinion. When fortune turns and disaster strikes internally, they constantly fear sudden calamities and hardships, falling into severe laws and imprisonment. Wasting vast wealth, losing their lives, all summoned by unkindness. Alas! Why not follow rituals, fear laws, humble oneself, respect others, maintain reverence, fulfill duties, and cultivate virtue, so that neighbors call you an upright person?
I. Admonition Against Litigation:
I observe that modern people, unwilling to endure a moment's anger over a word or unequal trifling gains, engage in fighting and litigation. If I seek victory over him, he seeks victory over me. Enmities accumulate, grudges are repaid, leading to official torture, heavy crimes, long imprisonment, unbearable suffering. Parents weep, brothers grieve, wives cry, friends sigh. Losing thousands of taels, risking life, trying all means but finding no escape, ruining the family, bringing disaster to descendants, yet it does not end. Alas! Why not endure for a moment, step back, yield a move, so as to settle the family, enjoy happiness, and be called a good person by the village?