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Nourishing the body is akin to governing the world. The turmoil in the world arises from either natural causes or human factors. Natural causes are exemplified by the floods and droughts during the Xia and Shang dynasties; human factors are exemplified by the social upheavals at the end of various dynasties. Similarly, human diseases stem from either congenital factors or acquired factors. Congenital conditions refer to individuals born with weak, delicate, and fragile constitutions; acquired conditions result from the harmful effects of the Six Evils (Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) and the impact of the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Thought, Sorrow, Fear, Fright). For congenital diseases, unless one practices proper self-nurturing and takes potent tonic medicines, premature death cannot be avoided. This is analogous to heavenly calamities, which can only be pacified by great sages and virtuous men. Ordinary acquired diseases caused by Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Fire, and Dryness constitute "external troubles"; while the harm inflicted by Joy, Anger, Worry, Thought, Sorrow, Fear, and Fright constitutes "internal distress". External troubles are best overcome through attack (purging methods). If the borders are unstable, one should select generals and dispatch troops to swiftly eliminate the threat; attempting to teach ritual and music when the enemy is already at the gates would be too late. Therefore, if pathogenic factors have not been fully expelled, using tonification lightly will cause pathogens to enter internally, leading to death. Internal injuries are best overcome through nourishment (tonifying methods). If national discipline is corrupt, one should promote Confucianism and discuss the Dao, slowly guiding and transforming the people; resorting to severe punishments and executions would only deepen the disaster. Thus, if Righteous Qi (Vital Energy) is insufficient, using purging methods lightly will exhaust the Righteous Qi, leading to death. However, even in times of great prosperity, there are unruly subjects, so punishment cannot be abolished; this represents attacking within tonification. Yet, raising an army for minor banditry disturbs the people. Therefore, attacking within tonification must not be excessive. In years of military conquest, internal administration is also cultivated; thus, nurturing and educating the people without slackening represents tonifying within attacking. However, a military leader who shows leniency merely indulges the enemy. Therefore, tonifying within attacking must not be mistaken. Major affairs of the world require the full strength of the world to accomplish, ensuring success; minor affairs can be handled calmly by one person, ensuring no disturbance. Major diseases are controlled with major prescriptions, leaving no residual pathogenic qi; minor diseases are treated with minor prescriptions, sparing the Righteous Qi. However, treatment requires appropriate timing, sequential order, specific formulas for different sizes of disease, degrees of severity, and patterns of frequency. The approach must be pure and undivided, orderly and not chaotic. When used medicines accord with their natures, it is the way of utilizing vessels/tools. When prescribed formulas accord with their principles, it is the method of coordination. If one can infer the greater from the lesser, who would say that the methods of a good physician cannot be applied to the governance of a good minister?