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Confucius said, "The age of one's parents must not be unknown." The words of the sage encompass a broad scope; if one must wait until after the parents' death to fulfill filial piety only through major funeral affairs, this does not align with the intent of the sages.

A gentleman remarked: Zeng Yuan (Zengzi's son) attended only to the physical needs of his parents. Did Zengzi merely accept such superficial care? It may be due to differences in wealth and frugality, or perhaps because of a specific precious item.

Children's service to their parents does not lie in luxury or wealth; even a single orange can be offered to them. Thus, the proverb says, "If a person loves their parents with the same heart they use to love their children, that is filial piety." However, service that is not reasonable or proper does not constitute filial piety.

In ancient times, there were cases where a chicken was cooked for guests and then served to the mother; people today cannot do this.

If parents speak incorrectly, children should not argue or correct them face-to-face but should wait and explain later. If it does not affect the matter at hand, there is no need to mention it.

For all family matters, children must consult with their parents before acting, so as to avoid going against their wishes. If parents are insistent, even if their decision is slightly flawed, children should reluctantly comply.

If parents are wise and clear-minded, they will naturally treat everyone equally. Or if they show bias and distribute property unevenly, the children should comfort themselves by saying, "This property belongs to the parents." What could be done if they had never possessed it? What if it were lost to fire, water, or thieves? Those unworthy children who complain about their parents, or even refuse to see them for life, how can they still be called children? How base and weak is this behavior!

Everyone has biases, and these biases are most obvious. Those good at guiding rulers and parents will clarify things from the perspective the parents understand and gently guide them toward the right path. When children advise parents and know they will not listen, they should deeply engage the parents' close friends or trusted confidants to intervene unexpectedly and express sincere feelings.

Elderly people have declining fire energy (Yang Qi) and thus feel cold easily; they also cannot bear heavy clothing. Clothes should be made of soft, finished silk or cloth, filled with cotton that is replaced annually.

Items for funeral arrangements should be gradually prepared after age fifty, often with anxiety during summer months.

In spring, when the weather warms suddenly, one should not abruptly reduce cotton clothing. Because elderly people have weak Qi and loose bones, wind and cold easily injure them. Just past spring, one should wear more layered garments, reducing them layer by layer when warm, to avoid sudden injury from cold.

The elderly are intolerant of wind, not because they truly cannot tolerate wind, but because they need to regulate their Qi; young people are intolerant of fatigue, not because they truly cannot endure labor, but because they need to regulate their Spleen.

At sixty, sexual intercourse is taboo to support the weakening body, thus valuing life essence.

People over fifty often suffer from constipation or painful dysentery. These two ailments require constant prevention. For constipation, eating slippery foods like Malva verticillata leaves is suitable; for dysentery, warming vegetables like ginger and leeks are appropriate. Elderly people should generally consume warm food throughout the four seasons and should not neglect this.

The key to caring for the elderly is: ears should not listen to useless talk, mouth should not speak useless words, body should not move uselessly, and mind should not harbor useless thoughts. All these benefit the elderly. One should also cherish life; whenever prayers or recitations occur, ensure the elderly do not hear them. This is the subtle essence.

The way of caring for the elderly involves constantly thinking of goodness, not evil; thinking of life, not killing; thinking of trust, not deception. Do not gamble, force strength, lift heavy objects, walk quickly, experience extreme joy or anger; do not strain eyes or ears; do not exert excessive mental effort or worry excessively; do not sigh or shout; do not sing loudly or weep bitterly; do not grieve or mourn deeply; do not attend celebrations or funerals, nor receive guests. Those who can act thus will likely avoid illness and surely achieve longevity.

The elderly should frequently avoid strong winds, heavy rain, extreme cold, extreme heat, thick fog, frost, sleet, snow, whirlwinds, and foul air. Avoiding contact with these is great auspiciousness.

The rooms where the elderly live must be spacious and tight-sealed, preventing any drafts.

The elderly must understand dietary regulation and rest, adjust the body through massage, shake limbs and joints, practice Daoyin (guiding and pulling) to circulate Qi, and must not kill living creatures in front of them, as part of their nurturing regimen.