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For those of advanced age, although their physical form and vital energy (Yuan Qi) have declined, their mind often remains self-assured as robust. However, they cannot adapt to the times and human affairs to satisfy their desires. Even when living in comfort and abundance, they often feel it is insufficient. Consequently, they tend to be talkative, prone to arbitrary anger or joy, with unstable temperaments, resembling children who require careful observation and accommodation by others. Thus, when Confucius was asked about filial piety by Zi Xia, he replied: "The difficult part is maintaining a pleasant countenance." When asked by Yi Zi, he replied: "Do not go against [their wishes]." One should accommodate their desires and strictly instruct servants and descendants not to contradict them. If anger arises, due to weak blood and qi and disharmonious middle qi, subsequent dietary intake may lead to illness. One must deeply understand this; attendants should remain nearby, never allowing the elderly to sit or sleep alone, for the elderly are prone to eccentricities and sentimentality. Upon feeling lonely, they easily become depressed.

The method of caring for the elderly lies in recognizing that every individual has specific preferences or hobbies from their lifetime, which bring them joy upon seeing them. Some prefer calligraphy and painting, some music and chess, some board games, some rare treasures, some medicinal herbs, some birds and horses, some antiques, some Buddhist rituals, and some alchemical practices. Human idiosyncrasies cannot be exhaustively listed. One should seek out items they have favored throughout their life, select the finest ones to place around them, and allow them to enjoy and play with these items endlessly. The elderly, weary and lacking mental engagement, will naturally fall into stagnation and depression if left alone at home. Now, seeing objects of their affection, they naturally focus their minds on them, attending to and playing with them daily, finding pleasure in themselves. Although there may be fatigue and complaining, their irritable temperaments will naturally subside.

The Classics state: "From the Son of Heaven to the common people, filial piety has no beginning or end; there has never been one who worried about failing in filial duty." Children serving their parents with pure hearts and utmost effort have no reason to fail in completeness. The only variation lies in the richness of support, determined by financial limitations. Those in wealth who provide generously for themselves but sparingly for their parents are not recorded by men nor tolerated by Heaven; though wealthy, they are effectively poor. Those in poverty who restrain themselves but provide abundantly for their parents are admired by men and assisted by Heaven; though poor, they are effectively wealthy. Among all virtues, none is greater than filial piety. Filial piety moves Heaven, so Heaven bestows blessings; thus, even in poverty, one is like the wealthy. Among sins, none is greater than unfilial conduct. Unfilial conduct moves Heaven, so Heaven brings disaster; thus, even in wealth, one is like the poor. The retribution for good and evil responds as quickly as an echo. As children, can we not believe this? The way to serve parents does not lie merely in providing daily meat offerings, but in accommodating their moods and expressions, exerting one's heart, and acting according to one's means. This follows the principle of Heaven. Wealthy families must not neglect the elderly but should strive to implement methods of elder care. Poor families, though lacking the means to fully execute elder care despite having the intention, should do their utmost according to their family's abundance or scarcity, observe propriety in preparations, and let the elderly know that their children have exhausted their efforts. It is seen that filial piety moves the spiritual realm, and invisible spirits silently bless, just as Jiang Shi's carp leaped forth and Meng Zong's bamboo shoots grew from tears. These are all caused by filial piety, which serves as clear evidence of its efficacy. Considering that filial sons and obedient grandchildren may face destitution and inability to practice these methods, leading to feelings of inadequacy, I have established this discourse on fortune and misfortune related to wealth and poverty to balance their minds.