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Chapter 1 of 78
黄帝内经·素问
Overall Paraphrase
This chapter is the first chapter of Suwen, " Treatise on Ancient Naturalness."
In antiquity, the Yellow Emperor was born with extraordinary spiritual acuity. He was articulate in childhood, quick-witted in youth, earnest and intelligent in adulthood, and ascended to the throne upon reaching maturity. He asked the Celestial Master Qi Bo: "I have heard that in ancient times, people could live over a hundred years while remaining agile and showing no signs of aging. Today, however, people begin to age physically by the age of fifty. Is this due to differences in times and environments, or have people themselves violated the principles of nurturing life?"
Qi Bo replied: "Those in ancient times who understood the way of nurturing life modeled themselves on the rhythms of Yin and Yang in heaven and earth, harmonized various cultivation methods (astrological and numerological arts), moderated their diet, kept regular schedules, and avoided overexertion. As a result, their physical form and spirit remained in harmony, and they fulfilled their natural lifespan, living to a hundred years before passing away. People today, however, are not like this. They drink wine as if it were water, treat aberrant lifestyles as the norm, engage in intercourse after becoming intoxicated, deplete their essence through indulgence, dissipate their true qi through overconsumption, and do not know how to maintain fullness of essence. They fail to regulate their spirit in a timely manner, seeking only momentary gratification, going against the true joy of life, and keeping irregular daily habits—thus they begin to age by around fifty."
"Ancient sages taught people, saying: "Timely avoid the 'virtual thieves and thief winds' (external pathogenic factors). Maintain inner tranquility and emptiness, and the genuine qi will flow in compliance. Guard the spirit within and do not let it scatter—then whence can illness arise? Therefore, their minds were at ease, and their desires were few; their hearts were calm and without fear; their bodies labored but did not become weary; their qi flowed smoothly, and each person was satisfied with their reasonable desires, able to fulfill their aspirations. Thus, whatever people ate tasted sweet, whatever they wore felt comfortable, they took delight in their own customs, and regardless of social standing, they did not envy one another—such people may be called simple and honest. Therefore, excessive desires could not fatigue their eyes, and decadent doctrines could not delude their hearts. Whether foolish, intelligent, worthy, or unworthy, none were swayed by external things, and so they aligned with the way of nurturing life. They could live to a hundred years while remaining agile, because their 'de' (virtue/innate endowment) was complete and without impairment."
The Yellow Emperor asked: "When people grow old and can no longer bear children, is it because their essence has been exhausted, or is it the natural course of destiny?"
Qi Bo said: "When a woman reaches seven years of age, her kidney qi becomes full, her baby teeth are replaced, and her hair grows longer. At fourteen, the tian gui ((the substance that promotes reproductive function)) arrives, the conception vessel (the ren meridian along the front midline, governing reproduction) becomes unobstructed, and the thoroughfare vessel (the chong meridian, related to reproduction and blood) flourishes; menstruation arrives on time, and she is able to conceive. At twenty-one, her kidney qi becomes balanced, wisdom teeth emerge, and her physical development reaches its peak. At twenty-eight, her sinews and bones become sturdy, her hair grows to its fullest, and her body is strong. At thirty-five, the yangming meridian begins to decline; her face begins to wither, and her hair begins to fall. At forty-two, the three yang meridians decline at the upper body; her face becomes entirely withered, and her hair begins to turn white. At forty-nine, the conception vessel weakens, the thoroughfare vessel declines, tian gui dries up, menstruation ceases, and her body grows old, so she can no longer conceive."
"When a boy reaches eight years of age, his kidney qi becomes full, his hair grows longer, and baby teeth are replaced. At sixteen, his kidney qi is vigorous, tian gui arrives, essence flows forth in abundance, and Yin and Yang become harmonious, enabling him to father children. At twenty-four, his kidney qi is balanced, his sinews and bones are strong, wisdom teeth emerge, and his physical development reaches its peak. At thirty-two, his sinews and bones are flourishing, and his muscles are full and robust. At forty, his kidney qi declines, his hair begins to fall, and his teeth become dry and withered. At forty-eight, yang qi is exhausted in the upper body; his face becomes withered, and his hair at the temples begins to gray. At fifty-six, his liver qi declines, his sinews become stiff and less agile, tian gui dries up, essence decreases, and kidney function declines—his body has reached its limits. At sixty-four, his teeth and hair fall out."
"The kidneys govern water metabolism and receive and store the essence of the five viscera and six bowels; therefore, only when the essence of the five viscera is abundant can the kidneys discharge reproductive essence. Now that the five viscera are all declining, the sinews and bones are slack and weak, and tian gui has completely dried up—so the hair and temples turn white, the body feels heavy, walking becomes unsteady, and one can no longer bear children."
The Yellow Emperor asked: "Some people are already old but still able to bear children—how is this possible?" Qi Bo said: "This is because their innate endowment surpasses that of ordinary people," and their qi and blood channels remain unobstructed, with kidney qi still in surplus. However, even though such people can bear children, men generally do not exceed sixty-four, and women generally do not exceed forty-nine—by then, the vital essence of heaven and earth has been exhausted."
The Yellow Emperor said: "Is it possible for those who cultivate the Way to still bear children even after reaching a hundred years of age?" Qi Bo replied: "Those who cultivate the Way," cultivate the Dao can delay aging and preserve the body. Though of advanced age, they may still be able to bear children."
The Yellow Emperor said: "I have heard of 'True People' (Zhen Ren ) in ancient times who could grasp heaven and earth, master the transformations of Yin and Yang, breath the pure qi of heaven and earth, independently guard their spirit, and keep their muscles, body, and spirit unified—thus they could match their lifespan with heaven and earth and have no end, all because they became one with the Dao. In the middle ages there were 'Perfected People' (Zhi Ren ) whose virtue was pure and whose Way was complete, who followed the transformations of Yin and Yang, adapted to the changing seasons of the four seasons, departed from worldly life, accumulated essence and preserved spirit, wandered freely within heaven and earth, and with their vision and hearing extended beyond the eight directions—such people could extend their lives and maintain vigor, belonging to the same class as the True People. Next were the 'Sages' ( Sheng Ren ) , who dwelled in harmony with heaven and earth," and conformed to the patterns of the eight winds. They moderately satisfied their appetites within the confines of ordinary life, harbored no anger or resentment, did not deviate from worldly conduct by their actions, wore ordinary clothing, and did not seek to stand out in the world. Outside, they were not wearied by affairs; within, they were not burdened by anxious thoughts. They made tranquility and contentment their task and peaceful self-satisfaction their merit. Their bodies did not decay, and their spirit did not scatter—they, too, could live to be a hundred years old. Next were the 'Worthy People' (Xian Ren ) who modeled themselves on heaven and earth, took imagery from the sun and moon, distinguished the movements of the stars, followed the waxing and waning of Yin and Yang, defined the changes of the four seasons, and pursued the ancient Way—thus uniting with the Way, they could prolong their lives and eventually come to a natural end."
The central concept of this chapter is the health-preserving view of "unity of body and spirit" (xing yu shen ju). Ancient thinkers believed that life is not merely the body in isolation, but rather a unity of form and spirit. Nurturing life is not simply about taking medicines but about aligning the rhythm of daily life and the state of the spirit with the patterns of nature.
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本内容基于中医经典古籍，仅供传统文化学习与研读，不构成任何医疗诊断、用药或治疗建议；如有不适请及时就医。 —— 卜瓜
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Below you produce fully. Immediate complete Final Translated Exact target. Good . ## Suwen: Treatise on Ancient Naturalness, Chapter One Overall Paraphrase
This is the first chapter of Suwen, "Treatise on Ancient Naturalness."
In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor was born with extraordinary spiritual acuity. He was articulate in childhood, quick-witted in youth, earnest and intelligent in adulthood, and ascended to the throne upon reaching maturity. He asked the Celestial Master Qi Bo: "I have heard that in ancient times, people could live over a hundred years while remaining agile and showing no signs of aging. Today, however, people begin to age physically by the age of fifty. Is this due to differences in times and environments, or have people themselves violated the principles of nurturing life?"
Qi Bo replied: "Those in ancient times who understood the way of nurturing life modeled themselves on the rhythms of Yin and Yang in heaven and earth, harmonized various cultivation methods, moderated their diet, kept regular schedules, and avoided overexertion. As a result, their physical form and spirit remained in harmony, and they fulfilled their natural lifespan, living to a hundred years before passing away. People today, however, are not like this. They drink wine as if it were water, treat aberrant lifestyles as the norm, engage in intercourse after becoming intoxicated, deplete their essence through indulgence, dissipate their true qi through overconsumption, and do not know how to maintain fullness of essence. They fail to regulate their spirit in a timely manner, seeking only momentary gratification, going against the true joy of life, and keeping irregular daily habits—thus they begin to age by around fifty."
"Ancient sages taught people, saying: 'Timely avoid the virtual thieves and thief winds (external pathogenic factors). Maintain inner tranquility and emptiness, and the genuine qi will flow according to nature. Guard the spirit within and do not let it scatter—then whence can illness arise? Therefore, their minds were at ease, and their desires were few; their hearts were calm and without fear; their bodies labored but did not become weary; their qi flowed smoothly, and each person was satisfied with their reasonable desires, able to fulfill their aspirations. Thus, whatever people ate tasted sweet, whatever they wore felt comfortable, they took delight in their own customs, and regardless of social standing, they did not envy one another—such people may be called simple and honest. Therefore, excessive desires could not fatigue their eyes, and decadent doctrines could not delude their minds. Whether foolish, intelligent, worthy, or unworthy, none were swayed by external things, and so they aligned with the way of nurturing life. They could live to a hundred years while remaining agile, because their virtue was complete and without impairment."
The Yellow Emperor asked: "When people grow old and can no longer bear children, is it because their essence has been exhausted, or is it the natural course of destiny?"
Qi Bo said: "When a woman reaches seven years of age, her kidney qi becomes full, her baby teeth are replaced, and her hair grows longer. At fourteen, the tian gui (the substance that promotes reproductive function) arrives, the Conception Vessel becomes unobstructed, and the Thoroughfare Vessel flourishes; menstruation arrives on time, and she is able to conceive. At twenty-one, her kidney qi becomes balanced, wisdom teeth emerge, and her physical development reaches its peak. At twenty-eight, her sinews and bones become sturdy, her hair grows to its fullest, and her body is strong. At thirty-five, the Yangming Meridian begins to decline; her face begins to wither, and her hair begins to fall. At forty-two, the Three Yang Meridians decline in the upper body; her face becomes entirely withered, and her hair begins to turn white. At forty-nine, the Conception Vessel weakens, the Thoroughfare Vessel declines, tian gui dries up, menstruation ceases, and her body grows old, so she can no longer conceive."
"When a boy reaches eight years of age, his kidney qi becomes full, his hair grows longer, and baby teeth are replaced. At sixteen, his kidney qi is vigorous, tian gui arrives, essence flows forth in abundance, and Yin and Yang become harmonious, enabling him to father children. At twenty-four, his kidney qi is balanced, his sinews and bones are strong, wisdom teeth emerge, and his physical development reaches its peak. At thirty-two, his sinews and bones are flourishing, and his muscles are full and robust. At forty, his kidney qi declines, his hair begins to fall, and his teeth become dry and withered. At forty-eight, Yang qi is exhausted in the upper body; his face becomes withered, and his hair at the temples begins to gray. At fifty-six, his liver qi declines, his sinews become stiff and less agile, tian gui dries up, essence decreases, and kidney function declines—his body has reached its limits. At sixty-four, his teeth and hair fall out."
"The kidneys govern water metabolism and receive and store the essence of the five viscera and six bowels; therefore, only when the essence of the five viscera is abundant can the kidneys discharge reproductive essence. Now that the five viscera are all declining, the sinews and bones are slack and weak, and tian gui has completely dried up—so the hair and temples turn white, the body feels heavy, walking becomes unsteady, and one can no longer bear children."
The Yellow Emperor asked: "Some people are already old but still able to bear children—how is this possible?" Qi Bo said: "This is because their innate endowment surpasses that of ordinary people, and their qi and blood channels remain unobstructed, with kidney qi still in surplus. However, even though such people can bear children, men generally do not exceed sixty-four, and women generally do not exceed forty-nine—by then, the vital essence of heaven and earth has been exhausted."
The Yellow Emperor said: "Is it possible for those who cultivate the Way to still bear children even after reaching a hundred years of age?" Qi Bo replied: "Those who cultivate the Way can delay aging and preserve the body. Though of advanced age, they may still be able to bear children."
The Yellow Emperor said: "I have heard of 'True People' in ancient times who could grasp heaven and earth, master the transformations of Yin and Yang, breathe the pure qi of heaven and earth, independently guard their spirit, and keep their muscles, body, and spirit unified—thus they could match their lifespan with heaven and earth and have no end, all because they became one with the Dao. In the middle ages there were 'Perfected People' whose virtue was pure and whose Way was complete, who followed the transformations of Yin and Yang, adapted to the changing seasons of the four seasons, departed from worldly life, accumulated essence and preserved spirit, wandered freely within heaven and earth, and with their vision and hearing extended beyond the eight directions—such people could extend their lives and maintain vigor, belonging to the same class as the True People. Next were the 'Sages,' who dwelled in harmony with heaven and earth and conformed to the patterns of the eight winds. They moderately satisfied their appetites within the confines of ordinary life, harbored no anger or resentment, did not deviate from worldly conduct by their actions, wore ordinary clothing, and did not seek to stand out in the world. Outside, they were not wearied by affairs; within, they were not burdened by anxious thoughts. They made tranquility and contentment their task and peaceful self-satisfaction their merit. Their bodies did not decay, and their spirit did not scatter—they, too, could live to be a hundred years old. Next were the 'Worthy People,' who modeled themselves on heaven and earth, took imagery from the sun and moon, distinguished the movements of the stars, followed the waxing and waning of Yin and Yang, defined the changes of the four seasons, and pursued the ancient Way—thus uniting with the Way, they could prolong their lives and eventually come to a natural end."
The central concept of this chapter is the health-preserving view of "unity of body and spirit." Ancient thinkers believed that life is not merely the body in isolation, but rather a unity of form and spirit. Nurturing life is not simply about taking medicines but about aligning the rhythm of daily life and the state of the spirit with the patterns of nature.
This content is based on ancient Chinese medical classics and is provided solely for the study and appreciation of traditional culture. It does not constitute any form of medical diagnosis, medication, or treatment advice. If you are unwell, please seek medical attention promptly. — Bua Gua (卜瓜)