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Bian Que stated that there are six types of diseases that are difficult to cure. The first is arrogance and willfulness, disregarding reason; this is the first type of untreatable condition. The second is valuing wealth over health; this is the second type. The third is the inability to adapt diet and clothing appropriately; this is the third type. The fourth is instability of Yin and Yang and Zang-Fu Qi (Vital Energy of the internal organs); this is the fourth type. The fifth is extreme emaciation where the body cannot tolerate medication; this is the fifth type. The sixth is believing in witchcraft rather than medicine; this is the sixth type.

I believe that those who are arrogant and willful often come from wealthy and noble families. The wealthy are often self-satisfied and conceited; if someone speaks frankly to correct them, they view it as criticism. The noble are often haughty and self-important; sincere advice is hard for them to accept. Consequently, vulgar and sycophantic individuals rush to flatter them, while talented and virtuous scholars suffer humiliation yet endure it willingly. Therefore, humility is essential for self-cultivation, and respecting talent is the foundation of cherishing life. Such behaviors as arrogance, neglecting one's health, and believing in witchcraft are not inherently untreatable diseases, but rather self-inflicted ruin. In contrast, conditions such as inability to adapt to diet/clothing, instability of Zang-Fu Qi, and physical weakness rejecting medication are truly cases that are ultimately incurable.

Medicines are prescribed for diseases. If a person has sufficient Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) and tranquil True Yin (True Essence), nourishment can be maintained through dietary harmony; why resort to elixirs? Otherwise, it may cause Qi and Blood to surge and scatter, leading to harm akin to uprooting seedlings to help them grow. I often see people taking tonics for the Spleen and Kidney, such as Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Roucongrong (Cistanche Herba), and Gusuibu (Drynariae Rhizoma), without cause, which suddenly leads to epistaxis (nosebleed) and abdominal distension, resulting in intractable illness. I hold that disease is the thief of the body, and medicine is the army to treat it. The court uses military force only when necessary; humans use medicine only when sick. For patients with Excess patterns, one must still fear sudden tonification worsening the condition; for those with Deficiency patterns, one should more dread reckless purgation. How can medicines be taken casually?

In the Jisi year, my father served as an assistant official in Jinguan City (Chengdu). Traveling by land from Yuzhou, he passed through counties such as Yongchuan, Liangchang, and Neijiang. He witnessed the desolation of villages and the malnourished faces of the people. He asked the elders: "Shu has been the Land of Abundance since ancient times, with fertile soil, abundant population, and pure customs. Why is it now so devastated?" The elders replied: "We suffer greatly from the rebellion of She Chongming over the past ten years. During this time, relief troops gathered, committing atrocities and brutality even worse than the rebels. Tragically, although the war has passed, grace has not returned. Officials claiming to protect the people arrive in droves. Having suffered the disaster of war, we now endure further torment; the people can no longer bear it." Thus, we realize that stubborn generals and arrogant soldiers cause greater harm than bandits. This statement is true.

Upon arriving at his post, my father encouraged integrity and governed Shu using methods previously applied in Chu. Serving repeatedly as acting governor of counties, he practiced benevolence for eight years, maintaining tranquility and kindness as a strategy to restore Yuan Qi. He despised quick fixes like acupuncture and Bian stone (stone knives). Ultimately, relying on mild herbs like Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Fuling (Poria), he revived the suffering populace. At that time, Zeng Mingshi, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner from Jiangxi, was known for strict and clear enforcement of laws and moral scrutiny. He often inspected officials alongside local governors, stating: "Magistrates are officials close to the people. Being clean and incorrupt is difficult, but often too harsh. To be both clean and gentle, caring for people's hardships, like Governor Xiao of Jinguan, is exceptionally rare." Alas, treating disease is like governing a state. Misprescribing for chronic illness is like the oppressive Qingmiao Law; taking medicine lightly when healthy is like reckless militarism. Both harm the people and damage life.