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(Pan Ji wrote)
A physician's mindset should be one of self-respect, not self-deprecation. It should be humble, not arrogant. It should focus on efficacy (Gong, 功), not profit. It should pity the poor, not flatter the rich. Self-respect leads to abundant moral aura; self-deprecation leads to a lack of perseverance. The humble will see their learning advance over time; the arrogant will see their skills become negligent over time. Focusing on efficacy means dedicating oneself to curing diseases, thereby generating skillful techniques; focusing on profit means dedicating oneself to enriching one's family, thereby giving rise to deceit and fraud. Pitying the poor means treating patients without discrimination, accumulating boundless hidden virtue (Yin De, 阴德). Flattering the rich means attending to them without waiting for an invitation, behaving in a manner too base and filthy to describe.

(Jiang Shijin from Mingzhou wrote)
Establishing oneself requires maintaining dignity, not self-deprecation.
Since we have taken this Way (Dao, 道) as our responsibility, this body of ours is indeed connected to the lives of thousands and millions. We must aspire to noble and pure ideals, conduct ourselves with sincerity and simplicity, to demonstrate that our Way is not compromised. If we were to conform to others at the expense of ourselves, or willingly take crooked paths, it would not reflect the heart of someone hiding their treasure awaiting recognition, and we would inevitably suffer ridicule for "sacrificing a foot to gain an inch" (Wang Xun Zhi Chi, 枉寻直尺).

Clinical practice should focus on efficacy, not seeking profit.
Practicing medicine is for sustaining livelihood. To say "worry about the Way, not about poverty" is unrealistic language. However, if greed prevails, one will eagerly seek results everywhere. If one does not devote one's whole heart to the task, there will be those who seek lucky breaks through others. One should restrain oneself, striving for certain cures. Thus, when efficacy is achieved, profit will follow. Indeed, there is no need to be troubled by gains and losses, as remuneration will be included within.

Maintaining one's mind requires humility, not relying on ability.
In the pursuit of knowledge, those who empty themselves receive much help; those who rely on their own abilities achieve nothing. Moreover, the transmission of Qibo (Qibo, 岐伯) contains profound meanings and subtle principles; how could they be fully fathomed by individual private wisdom? If one looks through a tube, clinging to a single insight, one may develop thoughts of despising peers. Therefore, remaining content with limited knowledge causes one's profession to decline daily; this is why the ancients warned against "holding a full cup" (Chi Man, 持满 - arrogance). A good merchant hides his goods deeply; one ought to adorn oneself with virtue.

Walking the path of healing requires pitying the poor, not flattering the rich.
The ugly attitudes of fickleness are common in worldly affairs. Although we do not engage in such behavior, we might harbor such thoughts. Often, when encountering sons of nobility, practitioners worry only that their skills are not refined enough. When facing destitute individuals, their attention tends toward neglect. Reflecting on this, this art was originally established to save people. Those with nowhere to complain deserve even more compassion. This not only fulfills the original intention of saving the world but is also a segment of performing good deeds secretly.

Reading books requires discerning principles, not sticking to fixed formulas.
Old words and past theories, although clear proofs tested by the ancients, depend on the individual for divine understanding. Furthermore, the climates of the five regions vary in strength, and the constitutions of people in ancient and modern times differ in density and thinness. If one strictly adheres to established methods without being good at adapting, what is the difference from forcing a square tenon into a round mortise? Profound scholars should derive insights from their own profound understanding, not be stuck in old hearsay from examination essays.

Treating diseases requires investigating causes, not pursuing trivialities.
The theory of Root (Ben, 本) and Branch (Biao, 标) has been discussed in detail by predecessors. Current practitioners seeking treatment often fail to examine the cause of the disease and apply remedies indiscriminately. It is like saving a fire by only beating out the spreading flames without extinguishing the fire source. Although the flames are extinguished, the nature of fire remains, and it will eventually reignite. This lies in cultivating the root and blocking the source, eliminating the ringleaders, so that the minions will naturally flee upon seeing the wind.

Associating with friends requires deep affection, not harboring slander.
Sighing that since people do not live according to ancient ways, the way of friendship has declined. Among those on the same path and working together, the tragedy of attacking each other and stabbing them in the back is even deeper. Not knowing that those who slander others will also be slandered, why not stop the yellow-billed birds' chatter (Ci Huang, 雌黄 - unfounded criticism) and mutually advise each other? Expand one's group, each borrowing support. On one hand, reap the benefits of like-minded people; on the other hand, maintain the connection of reputation and spirit in difficult times.

Preparing medicines requires precision, not settling for simplicity.
Substances originate from the Five Elements (Wu Xing, 五行), each having its appropriate use; preparation methods all follow Lei Gong (Lei Xiao, 雷公). However, examining their origins, some plants have different treatments for roots and tips; some single herbs have different processing specifications. Production varies by region and soil; storage differs between new and old. Do not mistake deer for horses, merely taking things to please favorites. Mistake Lu for fish, casually boasting of your keen eye. This causes miraculous formulas and holy preparations to fall between effective and ineffective. Not only can they not rescue critical illnesses, but they are sufficient to damage one's good reputation.