Nine Principles of Health Preservation from Ancient Figures
"One Virtue"
Li Kun, a Ming Dynasty health practitioner, said: “Benevolence leads to longevity; virtue extends life. Cultivating virtue is the foremost priority in health preservation.”
"Two Words"
Su Dongpo, a Song Dynasty literary figure, believed life depends on the words “peace” and “harmony.” “Peace” means tranquility of mind; “harmony” means contentment. “Peace makes external influences less impactful; harmony makes responses to the world smoother.”
"Three Abstentions"
Confucius said: “A noble man has three abstinences: In youth, when blood and qi are unstable, abstain from lust; in adulthood, when blood and qi are vigorous, abstain from fighting; in old age, when blood and qi decline, abstain from greed.”
"Four Methods"
Wan Mizheng, a Ming Dynasty physician, stated: “There are four methods of health preservation: moderation in desires, cautious movement, following seasonal rhythms, and preventing illness.”
"Five Knowledges"
Zhou Shouzhong, a Song Dynasty scholar, said: “Know that anger harms temperament, so release emotions to ease the heart; know that overthinking drains spirit, so reduce emotion and maintain inner peace; know that excessive talking invades qi, so keep silent; know that sorrow and joy shorten life, so suppress them; know that desire steals life, so restrain it.”
"Six Moderations"
Jiang Qishi, a Ming Dynasty physician, said: “Moderate desires to preserve essence; moderate worries to protect spirit; moderate anger to safeguard the liver; moderate labor to conserve strength; moderate thinking to nurture the heart; moderate grief to protect the lungs.”
"Seven Dietary Rules"
Shi Chengjin, a Qing Dynasty health expert, advised: “Eat earlier rather than late; eat slowly rather than hastily; eat until 80% full, not overly stuffed; eat light rather than rich; eat warm rather than cold; eat soft and tender rather than hard; after eating, drink two or three sips of tea to rinse mouth, ensuring thorough cleanliness.”
"Eight Joys"
Shi Chengjin’s “Eight Joys”: serenity in sitting, pleasure in reading, joy in admiring flowers, delight in moon viewing, satisfaction in painting appreciation, happiness in listening to music, freedom in singing loudly, comfort in lying down peacefully.
"Nine Reflections"
Confucius said: “A noble man reflects nine times: when seeing, reflect on clarity; when hearing, reflect on acuteness; when facing others, reflect on warmth of expression; when appearing, reflect on respectfulness; when speaking, reflect on loyalty; when handling affairs, reflect on diligence; when doubtful, reflect on questioning; when angry, reflect on prudence; when encountering virtue, reflect on righteousness.”