Qi Baishi’s Seven Rules for Health Preservation
1. Abstain from Alcohol: Even in old age, Qi Baishi received numerous invitations to banquets. At gatherings, others raised glasses in celebration, yet he always politely declined with “Thank you, but I don’t drink alcohol.”
2. Abstain from Smoking: Qi Baishi never smoked, kept no cigarettes, and when guests arrived, offered flowers instead. Friends understood and refrained from smoking out of respect.
3. Avoid Excessive Joy: Even when his paintings were selected for international exhibitions, Qi Baishi showed no visible excitement—he remained calm and composed.
4. Avoid Anger and Sorrow: He never lamented or became upset over personal gains or losses.
5. Avoid Idle Daydreaming: When mentally engaged in composing artwork, Qi Baishi focused intensely, thinking while painting—never indulging in aimless thoughts. He never stayed awake late at night without mental activity.
6. Avoid Laziness: Qi Baishi emphasized self-reliance in daily life—handling clothing, meals, housing, transportation, mending clothes, washing dishes, cleaning floors, walking—doing everything himself without relying on others.
7. Avoid Wasting Time: Qi Baishi often said, “Once learning stops, suffering through the day is meaningless!” Thus, he felt content and joyful each day knowing he had learned something new.