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(33. 1. Avoid Empty Talk, 2. Know the True Physician)

A physician's value lies not in curing ordinary diseases, but in curing difficult and critical conditions; a patient's value lies not merely in engaging a doctor, but in engaging a true master of medicine. In the world, if I can do something, others can also do it; this is not a difficult task. If I can cure a disease, others can also cure it; this is not a difficult condition. It is only when matters are arduous that they elude the understanding of ordinary people; it is only when diseases are complex that they defy the treatment of average physicians. Therefore, extraordinary individuals are required to achieve extraordinary feats, and exceptional physicians are needed to treat exceptional illnesses. However, the disparity in medical skill is vast. Like climbing a height, each level offers a unique perspective unknown to those below; like traveling a long distance, each step brings new insights inaccessible to those who have only taken a few steps. Thus, for knotty problems, sharp tools are essential; just as high art finds few companions. In such cases, even physicians may fail to recognize one another, let alone laypeople. They confuse truth with falsehood, cling to the plausible yet incorrect, use empty rhetoric, speak easily, yet recklessly jeopardize life-and-death situations, causing the most confusion. If their words were correct, wise minds would agree, and precise practitioners would already have flawless strategies, rendering such talk unnecessary. If their words are wrong, they severely undermine confidence in treatment; discerning individuals would rather stand aside than risk error, and the harm caused is significant. At such times, if the person in charge lacks firm judgment, how many can avoid being misled and causing mistakes? This is why empty talk must be avoided.

Furthermore, while the key for patients lies in selecting a physician, selection itself is not the hardest part; trusting the chosen physician is harder. Trusting them is not the hardest part; maintaining clarity and resolve without being confused by conflicting opinions during treatment is even harder. If one ignores this and listens to all rumors, gathering many doctors, then among the multitude, rare talents (like thoroughbreds) are scarce, leaving mostly inferior horses. Just as strategic brilliance is rare, so too are exceptional healers. In crises, how can one bear the errors of incompetent practitioners? In ambiguous situations, how can one tolerate chaotic advice? A single mistake can ruin a life. Hence, excessive deliberation leads to failure, and having too many doctors guarantees defeat. Why does "many" lead to failure? Because gentlemen do not follow the crowd. Distinguishing quality amidst this abundance is difficult, yet the greatest difficulty lies precisely in identifying the true physician. Appointing a physician is like appointing a general; both concern life and death. Is there no method for evaluation? One might judge benevolence by caution, yet timidity mimics caution; wisdom by acuity, yet cunning mimics acuity; courage by decisiveness, yet rashness mimics courage; erudition by depth, yet argumentativeness mimics depth. Stubbornness appears as conviction; exaggeration appears as strategy. Reading a few texts makes one sound eloquent; hearing a few phrases seems like solid evidence. Those who cannot adapt regret it too late; those who are self-righteous remain incompetent until old age. Those who hedge bets rely on luck; those who abandon the Four Diagnostic Methods (Wang, Wen, Wen, Qie - Observation, Auscultation/Olfaction, Inquiry, Palpation) ride blindfolded horses. Those seeking a reputation for safety cause delays; those lacking flexibility lack deep understanding. Claiming specialization does not imply versatility. Without understanding principles and nature, what sanctity exists? Empathy—judging others by one's own heart—is a key social skill, but in medicine, one cannot assume a patient's Qi and Blood match the physician's. While majority rule works in some decisions, it does not apply here where expertise varies regardless of numbers. All these methods are ways to evaluate physicians, highlighting the difficulty of doing so. Only those who possess comprehensive talent, embody Benevolence, Sagacity, Skill, and Craftsmanship, who can focus their spirit during consultation and perceive hidden truths, can be called true physicians, worthy of entrusting lives. Since character is hard to see and intentions hard to distinguish, and since modesty hides virtue, identifying true masters is difficult. Therefore, thorough observation in peacetime is needed to understand their potential, and absolute trust during crisis is needed to utilize their strengths. Waiting until thirst arises to dig a well, or until battle begins to forge weapons, leaves one helpless in emergencies. Entrusting life to mediocre hands out of desperation is unwise. As you rightly emphasize caution regarding fasting, war, and illness, all who care about life should heed this. Alas, just as Boya was common but Zhong Ziqi rare, and Guan Zhong common but Bao Shuya rare, the difficulty of mutual understanding has plagued humanity since ancient times, making today's struggles unsurprising. If anyone heeds my words and prepares beforehand, they will surely embody the wisdom of "treating disease before it arises and disorder before it occurs." Let those who cherish life reflect upon this.