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[Benevolence and Longevity] Confucius said: The benevolent person is tranquil, and the tranquil person lives long. It is also said: The benevolent person will surely attain longevity. Furthermore, it is stated: People's pursuit of benevolence is more urgent than their need for water and fire. I have seen people die by wading into water or stepping into fire, but I have never seen anyone die by practicing benevolence.

[The Benevolent Friend] Confucius said: When residing in a state, one should befriend the scholars who are benevolent. If one were to converse with someone lacking benevolence, how could there be any danger of national ruin or family destruction? (Implying that avoiding such conversation prevents disaster, or rhetorically emphasizing the incompatibility).

[The Art of Benevolence] The medical profession is called the "Art of Benevolence" because it possesses the heart/mind to save lives.

[Good Deeds Bring Hundred Blessings] The *Book of Documents* states: Doing good brings down a hundred blessings; doing evil brings down a hundred disasters. The *I Ching* (Book of Changes) states: A family that accumulates good deeds will surely have surplus happiness; a family that accumulates evil deeds will surely have surplus misfortune.

[Hidden Virtue Ensures Survival] Bing Ji devoted himself entirely to assisting and protecting Emperor Xuan of Han during his humble origins, leaving no detail unattended. After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, few knew of this past, and Ji did not speak of it. Later, when the Emperor learned of it, he intended to confer a title upon him. Coincidentally, Ji fell severely ill. The Emperor sent envoys to show extra respect and care for Ji, allowing him to accept the appointment as Grand Tutor to the Heir Apparent. Xiahou Sheng said: "This man will not die." I have heard that those who possess hidden virtue will surely enjoy its fruits, extending to their descendants. Since Ji has not yet enjoyed these fruits but is critically ill, there is no cause for worry. Later, Ji indeed recovered, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Boyang, and ultimately enjoyed all his happiness.

[The Benevolent Love Others and Also All Things] In the Song Dynasty, Cao Bin's hall and rooms collapsed and were damaged. His younger relatives requested repairs. Lord Cao said: "It is the height of winter; between walls and tiles, many insects are hibernating. We must not harm their lives." Such was his benevolent heart's love for all things! Every single thought of benevolence gives rise to a hundred good deeds. Only goodness is taken as treasure, only closeness to benevolence is taken as treasure; therefore, the gentleman delights in helping others do good.

[Family Instructions of Sima Guang] Accumulating gold and silver for descendants does not guarantee they can keep it; accumulating books for descendants does not guarantee they can read them. It is better to accumulate hidden virtue in the unseen realm as a long-term plan for descendants. One's words and deeds should leave a good example for children and grandchildren, and one's intentions and methods must never offend Heaven and Earth.

[Benevolent Beasts] Tigers and wild wolves exhibit the benevolence of father and son; bees and ants demonstrate the righteousness of ruler and minister. Insects, it seems, sometimes exhibit benevolence. Today, humans lack the benevolence of tigers and wolves yet act more tyrannically towards them; humans lack the righteousness of bees and ants yet act more venomously towards them. Thus, humans sometimes become like insects. However, an insect evolving into a human is progress; a human degrading into an insect is regression. That humans are inferior to insects is truly lamentable!

[The Mean Path] Colors nourish the eyes but can also damage them; sounds nourish the ears but can also damage them. Hearing and sight, which nourish the mind/heart, can also damage it. Moderation nourishes; excess causes disease.

[Transformation by the Dao] Tan Jingsheng, in his *Book of Transformation*, said: The unfolding of the Dao proceeds from Void transforming into Spirit, Spirit transforming into Qi, and Qi transforming into Form. Once Form is generated, the ten thousand things become obstructed. The function of the Dao proceeds from Form transforming into Qi, Qi transforming into Spirit, and Spirit transforming into Void. Void is bright and clear, so the ten thousand things become unobstructed. Therefore, ancient sages explored the beginnings of obstruction and unobstruction, grasping the source of creation. Forgetting form to nourish Qi, forgetting Qi to nourish Spirit, and forgetting Spirit to nourish Void—when Void and Reality interpenetrate, this is called Great Unity. Thus, stored within, it is Primordial Essence; utilized, it becomes the Ten Thousand Spirits; abandoned, it is the Supreme Unity; released, it is the Supreme Purity. Consequently, Kan and Li wax and wane within one body, and wind and clouds emanate through the seven orifices. True Qi steams and熏蒸s, rendering seasons free from extreme cold or heat; pure Yang flows through, rendering people free from death and life. This is called the Way of Divine Transformation.

[Daoist Hibernation] Some creatures excel at hibernating and hiding; perhaps they can withstand severe cold, perhaps eliminate severe hunger, or perhaps live for ten thousand years without dying. Their minds are obscure and seemingly know nothing; their spirits are serene and seem to go nowhere; their Qi is gentle and seemingly does nothing. Ten thousand thoughts cannot disturb them, and seeking perfection is impossible. This is how the Great Person comprehends all things to understand the self, understands the self to comprehend Spirit, and comprehends Spirit to grasp Truth. This is called the ford/pathway of the auspicious person.

[Daoist Emptiness] The spirit of ghosts can be commanded; the transformations of dragons can be employed; snakes and vipers cannot sting; spears and halberds cannot strike. Only those with an empty mind (free from selfish desire and attachment) cannot be burned by fire, drowned by water, harmed by weapons, or killed by destiny. What is the reason? Those dedicated to joy still forget hunger; those dedicated to sorrow still forget pain; those dedicated to Emptiness can forget life and death.