Yibian
 Shen Yaozi 
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titleOn the Theory That Medicine is Not for Everyone to Learn
sourceYixue Yuanliu Lun by Xu Ling-tai, Qing Dynasty
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Today's medical students are all extremely idle, taking up this profession merely as a means to earn a livelihood. Who knows that the art of medicine is a path through which ancient sages revealed the secrets of heaven and earth, seized the power of creation, and saved people from death? Its principles are so profound and divine that only the intelligent and wise can learn it; Huangdi, Shennong, Yueren, Zhang Zhongjing's writings are ancient and abstruse, vast and far-reaching, and only those who are erudite and insightful can study them; the transmission and change of diseases can occur in an instant, making it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood at times, and a single moment of hesitation can determine life or death, so only those who are open-minded and adaptable can learn it; there are thousands of disease names and tens of thousands of symptoms, meridian and collateral zang-fu organ, internal and external treatments, and the literature on prescriptions and medicines is so extensive that it takes years to fully grasp, so only those who are diligent and have a good memory can study it. Moreover, after the Neijing, various schools and sects emerged, each teaching their own methods, not without bias and error, and there are even bizarre theories and vulgar sayings, all jumbled together, causing endless confusion. A single mistaken belief can lead to lifelong error, so only those who are discerning and accurate can study it. Therefore, those who follow this path must possess extraordinary talent and broad knowledge, and must also be able to set aside mundane affairs, devote themselves to years of study, and receive proper instruction from a teacher, in order to truly understand and resonate with the minds of the ancient sages. If today's medical students are in opposition to the aforementioned points in every way, and if what even a lifelong scholar cannot master is attempted by those with no literary or logical foundation, it is no wonder that the art of medicine is declining day by day, and wrongful deaths are rampant throughout the world.

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