Neijing: core advice for the physician

 ”When a sage treats a patient, precaution is always emphasized, and often uses preventive measures in calming down disturbances. If the disease is treated after it has already been formed, or if you try to calm down the disturbance after it has already taken shape, it will be too late, just like to dig a well after one is thirsty, or to cast the weapon after the war has already broken out.”

- Neijing, chapter 2, Wang Bing version, 762 AD, Tang Dynasty, transl. Wu and Wu.