夫医者，非仁爱不可托也，非聪明达理不可任也，非廉洁淳良不可信也。是以古之用医
，必
选名姓之后。其德能仁恕博爱，其智能宣畅曲解；处虚实之分，定顺逆之节；原疾 之轻重
，而量药剂之多少；贯微达幽，不失细小。如此乃谓良医。
经云∶望而知之谓之神，闻而知之谓之圣，问而知之谓之工，脉而知之谓之巧。予谓∶
治人之疾，神圣难明，惟切问为要。孙思邈必问病者二便，亦可悟矣。
施效验良方。平时须合应验丹药，遇急病者，请致即行。（迟速时刻生死有关。）诊脉
不轻
率任意。不因贵药，辄减分数。不因酬薄，迟滞其往。不因错认病症，下药委曲回护。不因
祁寒暑雨，惮于远赴。不因饮酒宴乐，托辞不往。耐心替病患诊脉。遇贫病者，捐药施治
。不因循用药，迟其痊愈。（病本易治，而用无关紧要之药以图浓谢。外科尤甚，怀良心
，丧天理，不可不戒。）不用霸道劫剂，求其速效。不乘人重病险疮， 勒浓谢。不妄惊病
家
。不卖假药误人病。不轻忽临危病患。不厌恶秽恶病患。不与同道水火，误及病患。不用堕
胎药。不忌时医，辄生毁谤。不认病失真，
强用峻剂。可以步行，不必舟舆，费人财物。不待药资，然后发药。以上二十四条，业斯道
者，能反而求之，后福无穷矣！
A physician, if lacking benevolence and love, cannot be entrusted with life; if lacking intelligence and understanding of principles, cannot be appointed to the role; if lacking integrity and pure goodness, cannot be trusted. Therefore, in ancient times, when employing physicians, one would necessarily select descendants of renowned families. Their virtue must embody benevolence, tolerance, and universal love; their wisdom must be articulate and capable of nuanced interpretation; they must distinguish between deficiency (Xu) and excess (Shi), determine the progression or regression of the disease course; investigate the severity of the illness to measure the dosage of medicinal ingredients; penetrate the subtle and profound, without neglecting the minute details. Only thus can one be called a good physician.
The Classics state: To know through observation is termed "Divine" (Shen); to know through hearing/smelling is termed "Sage" (Sheng); to know through inquiry is termed "Skilled" (Gong); to know through pulse diagnosis is termed "Adroit" (Qiao). I assert: In treating human diseases, the states of Divine and Sage are difficult to attain; only detailed inquiry is essential. Sun Simiao (Sun Simiao) invariably inquired about the patient's urination and defecation, from which one may comprehend the importance of this practice.
Administer effective and verified prescriptions. One must normally stock reliable emergency medicines; upon encountering acute cases, summon the physician immediately and act forthwith. (The speed or delay of moments relates to life and death.) Do not conduct pulse diagnosis lightly or arbitrarily. Do not reduce dosages merely because the patient is noble. Do not delay visits due to meager remuneration. Do not prescribe drugs with evasive care merely because of misidentifying the disease pattern. Do not shun distant visits due to bitter cold or summer rain. Do not make excuses to avoid visits due to drinking or banquets. Diagnose patients' pulses with patience. For those who are poor and ill, donate medicine and provide treatment. Do not procrastinate in medication, delaying recovery. (The disease may be easy to treat, yet irrelevant medicines are used to seek heavy gratitude. This is especially prevalent in surgery; harboring conscience but losing heavenly principle, one must beware.) Do not use harsh, coercive formulas seeking rapid effects. Do not extort heavy gratitude while people suffer from severe illnesses or dangerous sores. Do not falsely alarm the patient's family. Do not sell fake drugs to mislead patients. Do not slight patients on the verge of death. Do not disdain patients with foul odors. Do not engage in hostility with colleagues, thereby harming patients. Do not use abortifacient drugs. Do not hesitate to criticize contemporary physicians. Do not misidentify the disease and force the use of drastic medicines. If walking suffices, do not use boats or carriages, wasting others' wealth. Do not wait for payment before dispensing medicine. The above twenty-four points: those engaged in this profession, if they can reflect upon and practice them, will have boundless future blessings!