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The principles of medicine are endless, just like the studies of Confucianism. If an essay is poorly written, paper is wasted; if medical practice is incompetent, human lives are wasted. The difference between these two is vast. Since ancient times, there have been only one or two individuals born with innate knowledge. However, Shennong (Yandi) knew the properties of hundreds of herbs only after tasting them; Xuanyuan (Huangdi) fully understood the meridians only after inquiring about them. This is what is meant by "understanding heavenly patterns above, earthly geography below, and human affairs in the middle." Unless one explores to the utmost limit, how can one truly understand? Later, famous doctors emerged successively, all of whom investigated the fundamental principles of medicine, studied the categories of things to exhaust the laws of life, and thereby became renowned for their skills in their time, leaving their names for generations. How much more so for those whose wisdom is inferior to that of the ancients? If they do not extensively search and read broadly, having little insight within, yet presume to manage human lives, it is rare that they would not fail or collapse. Therefore, the sages of old said, "After studying for ten years, there is no disease that cannot be cured; after studying for another ten years, one realizes there are diseases that cannot be cured." These are words of truth.

General diseases can be anticipated but should not be guessed at subjectively. Anticipation relies on the patient's specific condition, whereas subjective guessing clings to one's own preconceived notions. For instance, a person who is usually robust may experience temporary deficiency; in such cases, the deficiency should be temporarily regulated. A person who is usually deficient may experience temporary excess; in such cases, the excess should be slightly resolved. This is the strategy of adopting a缓 (slow/gentle) approach to the changing situation. If an Excess syndrome is treated with excessive purgation, it should be rescued with strong tonification. If a Deficiency syndrome is treated with overly rapid tonification, it should be regulated with mild formulas. This is the strategy for urgent situations. For Heat syndromes, use clearing methods until halfway, then stop and follow with Yin-nourishing methods. For Cold syndromes, use warming methods until mostly resolved, then stop and follow with harmonizing methods. This is the strategy of flexibility (Quan). When an Excess syndrome persists for a long time and appears like Deficiency, there is still excess within, and it cannot tolerate tonification. When a Deficiency syndrome flares up and appears like Excess, its root is Deficiency, and it cannot tolerate attack/clearing. This is the strategy of following standard principles (Jing). For diseases located in the upper part, treat from the lower part, because Yang roots in Yin; for diseases located in the lower part, treat from the upper part, because Yin follows Yang. This is the strategy of addressing the root (Ben). When Exterior syndromes appear, even if the constitution is weak, the exterior should still be released; when Interior syndromes appear, even if Yuan Qi is weak, the interior should still be attacked. This is the strategy of addressing the branch/biao (Biao). Moreover, the onset of disease has no fixed pattern, and our response to it also has no fixed pattern. With thousands of changes handled through ten thousand considerations, there is no one who can escape the true nature of the illness.