欲绵瓜瓞，当求基址。盖种植者必先择地，砂砾之场，安望稻黍？求子者必先求母，薄福之妇，安望熊
罴？倘欲为子嗣之谋，而不先谋基址，计非得也。然而基址之说，隐微叵测，察亦诚难。姑举其显而易者十余
条，以见其概云耳。大都妇人之质，贵静而贱动，贵重而贱轻，贵浓而贱薄，贵苍而贱嫩。故凡唇短嘴小者不
堪，此子处之部位也。耳小轮薄者不堪，此肾气之外候也。声细而不振者不堪，此丹田之气本也。形体薄弱者
不堪，此藏蓄之宫城也。饮食纤细者不堪，此仓廪、血海之源也。发焦齿豁者不堪，肝亏血而肾亏精也。睛露
臀削者不堪，藏不藏而后无后也，颜色娇艳者不堪，与其华者去其实也。肉肥胜骨者不堪，子宫隘而肾气 也。
娜柔脆、筋不束骨者不堪，肝肾亏而根干不坚也。山根唇口多青气者不堪，阳不胜阴必多肝脾之滞逆也。脉
见紧数弦涩者不堪，必真阴亏弱经候不调而生气杳然者也。此外，如虎头熊项，横面竖眉及声如豺野狼之质，必
多刑克不吉，远之为宜。又若刚狠阴恶，奸险克薄之气，尤为种类源流、子孙命脉所系，乌可近之？虽曰。
尧亦有丹朱，舜亦有瞽叟，二气相合，未必非一优一劣
之所致。倘使阴阳有序，种址俱宜，而稼穑有不登者，未之有也。唯一有偏胜，则偏象见矣。是种之不可不择
者有如此。不然，则麟趾之诗，果亦何为而作者耶？余因人艰嗣之苦，复见人有不如无之苦，故愿天常生好
人，所以并虑及之。
想要子孙绵延，应当先打好根基。就像种植庄稼必须先选择土地，在满是砂石的地方，怎么能指望长出稻谷和小米呢？求子的人必须先考察母亲，福薄的女人，怎么能指望生下优秀的孩子呢？如果打算为子嗣做谋划，却不先打好基础，这计策是不行的。然而“基础”这一说法，隐微难测，观察起来确实很难。姑且列举其中显而易见的十余条，来展示其大概情况罢了。
大体上，女人的体质，以静为贵而以动为贱，以厚重为贵而以轻浮为贱，以浓密为贵而以单薄为贱，以成熟为贵而以稚嫩为贱。所以，凡是嘴唇短、嘴巴小的，都不行，这是子宫（子处）部位不佳的表现。耳朵小、耳轮薄的，不行，这是肾气不足的外在征象。声音细小而没有气势的，不行，这是丹田之气根本虚弱的表现。形体瘦弱单薄的，不行，这是藏蓄精气的神宫（胞宫）薄弱。饮食量极少纤细的，不行，这是脾胃（仓廪）和血海源头匮乏的表现。头发焦枯、牙齿稀疏脱落的，不行，这是肝血亏虚而肾精亏损的表现。眼睛外露、臀部削瘦的，不行，这是脏腑不固而后代无望。脸色过于娇艳的，不行，这是外表华丽而内在实质空虚的表现。肉多胜过骨骼的，不行，这是子宫狭窄而肾气虚弱（注：原文此处似有缺字，结合语境指肾气不足或阻滞）。体态婀娜柔弱、筋骨不能束骨的，不行，这是肝肾亏虚而根基不牢固的表现。鼻梁（山根）、嘴唇和口角周围多有青气的，不行，这是阳气不胜阴气，必然多有肝脾的气滞逆乱。脉象出现紧、数、弦、涩的，不行，这必然是真阴亏弱、月经失调且生机渺茫的人。此外，像虎头熊颈、脸宽眉竖以及声音像豺狼野兽那样的人，必然多有刑克不吉利，远离为宜。还有那种刚狠阴险、奸诈刻薄的气质，尤其关系到家族源流和子孙命脉，怎么可以亲近呢？虽然常说尧帝也有丹朱这样的儿子，舜帝也有瞽叟这样的父亲，阴阳二气相合，未必不是由一方优厚一方劣质的原因所致。但如果阴阳有序，种植的基础都适宜，却还有庄稼不丰收的，是从来没有过的。只要有一方偏胜，就会出现偏颇的现象。所以选种不可不慎重，就是像这样。不然的话，《诗经》中歌颂麟趾的篇章，究竟是为了什么而创作的呢？我因为别人难以生育的痛苦，又见到有人不如没有孩子的痛苦，所以希望上天常生好人，因此也顾虑到了这些方面。
To ensure the continuity of descendants, one must first establish a solid foundation. Just as planting requires selecting suitable land, how can one expect rice and millet to grow in a field full of gravel? Those seeking offspring must first evaluate the mother; how can a woman with thin fortune be expected to bear outstanding children? If one plans for heirs without first securing the foundation, the strategy is flawed. However, the concept of "foundation" is subtle and difficult to assess. I will briefly list more than ten obvious indicators to illustrate the general principles.
Generally speaking, a woman's constitution values stillness over activity, heaviness over lightness, richness over thinness, and maturity over immaturity. Therefore, those with short lips and small mouths are unsuitable, as this indicates an unfavorable location of the Zi Chu (uterus). Those with small ears and thin ear helices are unsuitable, as this reflects weak Kidney Qi. Those with thin voices lacking resonance are unsuitable, as this indicates a deficient root of Dantian Qi. Those with frail and thin bodies are unsuitable, as this signifies a weak palace for storing essence (Bao Gong). Those who eat very little or only delicate foods are unsuitable, as this points to a deficiency in the source of the Spleen/Stomach (Cang Lin) and Blood Sea. Those with dry, brittle hair and loose teeth are unsuitable, indicating Liver Blood deficiency and Kidney Essence depletion. Those with protruding eyes and thin buttocks are unsuitable, suggesting that the Zang organs fail to store properly, leading to no descendants. Those with overly glamorous complexions are unsuitable, as their outward brilliance masks inner emptiness. Those whose flesh outweighs their bones are unsuitable, implying a narrow uterus and weak Kidney Qi. Those with graceful but fragile postures, where sinews do not bind the bones firmly, are unsuitable, indicating Liver and Kidney deficiency and an insecure root. Those with blueish discoloration on the Shan Gen (bridge of the nose), lips, and mouth corners are unsuitable, as Yang failing to overcome Yin leads to stagnation and rebellion in the Liver and Spleen. Those with pulse qualities of Tight, Rapid, Wiry, or Choppy are unsuitable, indicating true Yin deficiency, irregular menstruation, and a lack of vital energy.
Furthermore, individuals with tiger-like heads, bear-like necks, broad faces, vertical eyebrows, or voices resembling wild beasts like jackals and wolves are likely to bring misfortune and conflict; it is advisable to avoid them. Moreover, personalities characterized by ruthlessness, malice, deceit, and harshness are particularly critical to the lineage and the fate of descendants; how can such people be approached? Although it is said that Emperor Yao had Dan Zhu as a son, and Emperor Shun had Gu Sou as a father, the combination of Yin and Yang energies may result from one party being superior and the other inferior. However, if Yin and Yang are orderly and the foundational conditions for planting are suitable, there would never be a case of crop failure. Only when there is an imbalance does the corresponding manifestation appear. Thus, selection is crucial, as illustrated above. Otherwise, what was the purpose of composing the poem "Lin Zhi" (The Unicorn's Hoof) in the *Classic of Poetry*? Due to my understanding of the suffering caused by infertility, and witnessing the distress of having children who are worse than none, I wish for Heaven to always produce good people, which is why I have considered these matters.