Qi Baishi’s Seven Rules for Health Preservation
1. Abstain from Alcohol: Even in old age, Qi Baishi received numerous invitations to banquets daily. At gatherings, others raised glasses in celebration, but 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, he welcomed them with flowers. 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 Grief: He never lamented or became upset over personal gains or losses.
5. Avoid Idle Daydreaming: When deeply focused on painting composition, Qi Baishi concentrated fully, thinking and drawing simultaneously. He never wasted time in aimless contemplation; he never stayed awake late at night without mental engagement.
6. Avoid Laziness: Qi Baishi emphasized self-reliance in daily life—clothing, food, housing, transportation, mending clothes, washing dishes, cleaning floors, walking—all tasks he handled himself, never seeking help.
7. Avoid Wasting Time: Qi Baishi often said, “If I stop learning, I’ll suffer through another meaningless day!” Thus, he felt content and joyful every day, knowing he gained something new through learning.