Maintaining Good Health
338. What the eyes love to see do not follow; what the ears love to hear do not comply; what the nose loves to smell do not indulge; what the mouth loves to taste do not pursue; what the heart desires do not gratify. That which can enchant the eyes are beauty and splendors; that which can enchant the ears are sensual songs and decadent music; that which can enchant the nose are sweet smelling fragrance; that which can enchant the mouth are exotic food and delicacies; that which can enchant the heart are power, money and position. When all the five senses are enchanted, one will most likely confront disasters and life threatening danger. Do you not believe in this? Thus there are people who would restrain their desires more seriously than they would prevent a dike from collapsing; and there are people who would control their characters more vigilantly than they would use a rotten rein to control a galloping horse. On a personal level this approach will secure a longer lifespan for an individual, and on a social level this approach will protect a person from misfortune.
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339. Although alcoholic drinks are enticing they are nevertheless illness-inducing toxins. They are not beneficial to health and the damages they cause are as enormous as a mountain.
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