《灵兰秘典论》曰∶十二脏之相使，贵贱何如？心者，君主之官也，神明出焉。（任
治于物，故为君主之官，清静栖灵，故曰神明出焉。）肺者，相傅之官，治节出焉。（位高非君，
故宫为相傅。主行营卫，故治节由之。）肝者，将军之官，谋虑出焉。（勇而能断，故曰将军。潜发未萌，
故谋虑出焉。）胆者，中正之官，决断出焉。（刚正果断，故官为中正，直而不疑，故决断出焉。）
膻中者，臣使之官，喜乐出焉。（膻中者，在胸中两乳间，为气之海。心主为君，以敷宣教令，膻中主气，
以气布阴阳，气和志适，则喜乐由生，分布阴阳，故官为臣使也。）脾胃者，仓廪之官，五味出焉。
（包容五谷，是为仓廪之官，营养四旁，故为五味出焉。）大肠者，传道之官，变化出焉。（传道，谓传
不洁之道。变化，谓变化物之形。故云传道之官，变化出焉。）小肠者，受盛之官，化物出焉。（承奉胃
司，受盛糟粕，受已复化，传入大肠，故云受盛之官，化物出焉。）肾者，作强之
官，技巧出焉。（强于作用，故曰作强，造化形容，故云技巧。在女则当其伎巧，在男则当其作强。）
三焦者，决渎之官，水道出焉。（引导阴阳，开通闭塞，故官司决渎，水道出焉。）膀胱者，州都之官
津液藏焉。气化则能出矣。（位当当孤腑，故位者，部居下而藏津液，若得气海之气施化，则溲便注泄。
故曰气化则能出矣。）凡此十二官者，不得相失也。（失则灾害至，故不得相失。）故主明则下安，
以此养生则寿，主不明则十二官危，使道闭塞而不通，形乃大伤，以此养生则殃。
《灵兰秘典论》说：十二个脏腑之间相互辅佐，它们的地位尊卑是怎样的呢？心，是君主之官，人的精神意识思维活动从这里产生。（心主宰万物，所以称为君主之官；心清静而容纳灵性，所以说精神意识从这里产生。）肺，是相傅之官，治理调节的功能从这里产生。（肺的地位崇高但不是君主，所以比喻为宰相。肺主管运行营气和卫气，所以治理调节功能由它主导。）肝，是将军之官，谋略思虑从这里产生。（肝性勇猛且能决断，所以称为将军。肝能在事情未发生前就暗中谋划，所以谋略思虑从这里产生。）胆，是中正之官，决断的功能从这里产生。（胆刚正果断，所以官职称为中正；胆直率而不犹豫，所以决断功能从这里产生。）膻中，是臣使之官，喜乐的情绪从这里产生。（膻中位于胸部两乳之间，是气的汇聚之处。心主作为君主，通过膻中发布和传达命令；膻中主管气，通过气来布散阴阳，气机调和、情志适宜，喜乐便由此产生；因为负责分布阴阳，所以官职称为臣使。）脾胃，是仓廪之官，五味营养从这里产生。（脾胃包容五谷，所以称为仓廪之官；它们滋养身体四周，所以五味的化生源于此。）大肠，是传道之官，传导变化功能从这里产生。（“传道”，指传导排泄不洁之物。“变化”，指改变物质的形态。所以称为传道之官，传导变化功能从这里产生。）小肠，是受盛之官，化物功能从这里产生。（小肠承接并奉胃的职能，接受并盛纳食物残渣，接受后再次消化，传入大肠，所以称为受盛之官，化物功能从这里产生。）肾，是作强之官，技巧能力从这里产生。（肾在作用力方面强劲，所以称为作强；它能造化形体容貌，所以称为技巧。对于女性来说，对应其灵巧技艺；对于男性来说，对应其体力强壮。）三焦，是决渎之官，水道功能从这里产生。（三焦引导阴阳，开通闭塞，所以官职称为决渎；水道功能从这里产生。）膀胱，是州都之官，津液储藏在这里。（膀胱位居下焦，如同地方行政中心，储藏津液；如果得到气海之气的施予和化生，就能排出尿液和大便。所以说是气化后才能排出。）以上这十二个脏腑器官，不能互相失调。（如果失调就会带来灾害，所以不能互相失和。）因此，君主（心）清明，下属（其他脏腑）就安定，用这种状态来养生就能长寿；君主昏昧，十二个脏腑就危险，使令之道闭塞不通，形体就会受到严重损伤，用这种状态来养生就会遭殃。
The *Linglan Midian Lun* (Treatise on the Secret Canon of Linglan) states: How do the twelve viscera assist each other, and what is their hierarchy? The Heart is the official of the Sovereign Monarch, from which Shen Ming (Spiritual Consciousness) emerges. (The Heart governs all things, thus it is called the official of the Sovereign Monarch; being clear and quiet, housing the spirit, thus Spiritual Consciousness emerges from it.) The Lung is the official of the Chancellor, from which Zhi Jie (Governance and Regulation) emerges. (Its position is high but not sovereign, hence likened to a chancellor. It governs the circulation of Ying Qi (Nutrient Qi) and Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), thus Governance and Regulation originate from it.) The Liver is the official of the General, from which Mou Lv (Strategic Planning and Deliberation) emerges. (It is courageous and decisive, thus called the General. It plans secretly before events arise, thus Strategic Planning and Deliberation emerge from it.) The Gallbladder is the official of Integrity and Justice, from which Jue Duan (Decision-Making) emerges. (It is upright and decisive, thus its title is Integrity and Justice; it is direct and without hesitation, thus Decision-Making emerges from it.) The Dan Zhong (Chest Center/Pericardium region) is the official of the Envoy, from which Xi Le (Joy and Happiness) emerges. (Dan Zhong is located in the chest between the two breasts, serving as the Sea of Qi. The Heart Master acts as the Sovereign, issuing orders through Dan Zhong; Dan Zhong governs Qi, distributing Yin and Yang through Qi. When Qi is harmonious and emotions are appropriate, Joy and Happiness arise; because it distributes Yin and Yang, its title is Envoy.) The Spleen and Stomach are the officials of the Granary, from which Wu Wei (Five Flavors/Nourishment) emerge. (They contain and store the five grains, thus they are called the officials of the Granary; they nourish the four sides of the body, thus the transformation of Five Flavors originates from them.) The Large Intestine is the official of Transmission, from which Bian Hua (Transformation and Change) emerges. ("Transmission" refers to the passage of unclean waste. "Transformation" refers to changing the form of substances. Thus it is called the official of Transmission, and Transformation emerges from it.) The Small Intestine is the official of Reception and Containment, from which Hua Wu (Transformation of Substances) emerges. (It receives and fulfills the functions of the Stomach, receiving and containing food residue, transforming it again after reception, and transmitting it to the Large Intestine, thus it is called the official of Reception and Containment, and Transformation of Substances emerges from it.) The Kidney is the official of Strength and Vigor, from which Ji Qiao (Skill and Technique) emerges. (It is strong in action, thus called Strength and Vigor; it shapes physical form, thus called Skill and Technique. In women, it corresponds to dexterity and skill; in men, to physical strength.) The San Jiao (Triple Burner) is the official of Drainage and Ditches, from which Shui Dao (Water Pathways) emerges. (It guides Yin and Yang, opens blockages, thus its office is Drainage and Ditches; Water Pathways emerge from it.) The Bladder is the official of the Provincial Capital, where Jin Ye (Body Fluids) are stored. (Its position is that of an isolated fu organ, situated low to store Body Fluids; if it receives the qi transformation from the Sea of Qi, urine and feces can be excreted. Thus it is said that only through Qi Transformation can they be expelled.) These twelve officials must not lose their harmony. (If they lose harmony, disasters will occur, thus they must not be out of sync.) Therefore, if the Sovereign (Heart) is clear, the subordinates (other viscera) will be peaceful; using this state for health preservation leads to longevity. If the Sovereign is unclear, the twelve viscera will be in danger, the channels of command will be blocked and unconnected, the physical form will suffer severe damage, and using this state for health preservation leads to disaster.