1
黃帝問于歧伯曰：余聞鍼道于夫子，衆多畢悉矣。夫子之道，應若失，而據未有堅然者也。夫子之問學熟乎？將審察于物而心生之乎？
黄帝问于歧伯曰：余闻针道于夫子，众多毕悉矣。夫子之道，应若失，而据未有坚然者也。夫子之问学熟乎？将审察于物而心生之乎？ Huáng Dì wèn yú Qí Bó yuē: yú wén zhēn dào yú fū zǐ, zhòng duō bì xī yǐ. fū zǐ zhī dào, yīng ruò shī, ér jù wèi yǒu jiān rán zhě yě. fū zǐ zhī wèn xué shú hū? jiāng shěn chá yú wù ér xīn shēng zhī hū?
黄帝问歧伯说：我从先生这里听到针道，众多道理都已详尽。先生的道理，用起来洒脱无滞，所依据的却不拘泥固执。先生的学问是熟习而成的呢？还是审察事物之后心生出来的呢？
The Yellow Emperor asked Qi Bo: I have heard the way of needling from you, Master, and its many parts are all exhausted. Your way, when applied, seems to leave nothing to hold to, and yet what it rests on has nothing rigid about it. Is your learning ripe from study, or do you examine things and let it arise in the heart?
2
歧伯曰：聖人之爲道者，上合于天，下合于地，中合于人事，必有明法，以起度數，法式檢押，乃後可傳焉。故匠人不能釋尺寸而意短長，廢繩墨而起平木也。工人不能置規而爲圓，去矩而爲方。知用此者，固自然之物，易用之教，逆順之常也。
歧伯曰：圣人之为道者，上合于天，下合于地，中合于人事，必有明法，以起度数，法式检押，乃后可传焉。故匠人不能释尺寸而意短长，废绳墨而起平木也。工人不能置规而为圆，去矩而为方。知用此者，固自然之物，易用之教，逆顺之常也。 Qí Bó yuē: shèng rén zhī wéi dào zhě, shàng hé yú tiān, xià hé yú dì, zhōng hé yú rén shì, bì yǒu míng fǎ, yǐ qǐ dù shù, fǎ shì jiǎn yā, nǎi hòu kě chuán yān. gù jiàng rén bù néng shì chǐ cùn ér yì duǎn cháng, fèi shéng mò ér qǐ píng mù yě. gōng rén bù néng zhì guī ér wéi yuán, qù jǔ ér wéi fāng. zhī yòng cǐ zhě, gù zì rán zhī wù, yì yòng zhī jiào, nì shùn zhī cháng yě.
歧伯说：圣人作道，上合于天，下合于地，中合于人事，一定有明确的法度，用来建立度数，作为法式规矩，然后才可以传授。所以匠人不能放下尺寸而凭意测短长，废弃绳墨而取平直；工人不能舍弃规而画圆，去掉矩而作方。懂得运用这些，本来就是自然之物、易用的教化、逆顺的常理。
Qi Bo said: The sage who makes a way joins it above to heaven, below to earth, and in the middle to human affairs; he must have a clear method by which measures are set up, a pattern and a frame, and only then can it be transmitted. So a carpenter cannot let go of his rule and guess at length, nor abandon the inked line and make timber level; a wheelwright cannot put aside the compass and make a circle, nor remove the square and make a right angle. To know how to use these is simply the nature of things, an easy teaching, the constancy of opposing and following.
3
黃帝曰：願聞自然奈何？
黄帝曰：愿闻自然奈何？
Huáng Dì yuē: yuàn wén zì rán nài hé?
黄帝说：想听听自然之理是怎样的？
The Emperor said: I should like to hear what this naturalness is.
4
歧伯曰：臨深決水，不用功力，而水可竭也。循掘決衝，而經可通也。此言氣之滑澀，血之清濁，行之逆順也。
歧伯曰：临深决水，不用功力，而水可竭也。循掘决冲，而经可通也。此言气之滑涩，血之清浊，行之逆顺也。 Qí Bó yuē: lín shēn jué shuǐ, bù yòng gōng lì, ér shuǐ kě jié yě. xún jué jué chōng, ér jīng kě tōng yě. cǐ yán qì zhī huá sè, xuè zhī qīng zhuó, xíng zhī nì shùn yě.
歧伯说：临深渊而决开水口，不用费力，水就可以放干；顺着掘开的通道决去冲激，经脉就可以通。这是说气的滑涩、血的清浊、运行的逆顺。
Qi Bo said: Opening a channel above a deep pool lets the water run dry without effort; following a dug course and clearing the rush lets the channel be opened. This speaks of the slippery and the rough in qi, the clear and the turbid in blood, the opposing and following of their movement.
5
黃帝曰：願聞人之白黑肥瘦小長，各有數乎？
黄帝曰：愿闻人之白黑肥瘦小长，各有数乎？ Huáng Dì yuē: yuàn wén rén zhī bái hēi féi shòu xiǎo cháng, gè yǒu shù hū?
黄帝说：想听听人的皮色黑白、形体肥瘦、身材高矮，各有一定的度数吗？
The Emperor said: I should like to hear whether white and black, fat and thin, small and tall each have their measure.
6
歧伯曰：年質壯大，血氣充盈，膚革堅固，因加以邪。刺此者，深而留之。此肥人也，廣肩腋項，肉薄厚皮而黑色，脣臨臨然，其血黑以濁，其氣濇以遲。其爲人也，貪于取與。刺此者，深而留之，多益其數也。
歧伯曰：年质壮大，血气充盈，肤革坚固，因加以邪。刺此者，深而留之。此肥人也，广肩腋项，肉薄厚皮而黑色，唇临临然，其血黑以浊，其气涩以迟。其为人也，贪于取与。刺此者，深而留之，多益其数也。 Qí Bó yuē: nián zhì zhuàng dà, xuè qì chōng yíng, fū gé jiān gù, yīn jiā yǐ xié. cì cǐ zhě, shēn ér liú zhī. cǐ féi rén yě, guǎng jiān yè xiàng, ròu bó hòu pí ér hēi sè, chún lín lín rán, qí xuè hēi yǐ zhuó, qí qì sè yǐ chí. qí wéi rén yě, tān yú qǔ yǔ. cì cǐ zhě, shēn ér liú zhī, duō yì qí shù yě.
歧伯说：年纪壮盛、形体壮大，血气充盈，皮肤坚固，又感受邪气。刺这种人，要深刺而留针。这是肥人：肩腋项部宽阔，肉薄而皮厚，色黑，嘴唇厚而下垂，血黑而浊，气涩而迟。他的为人，贪于取与。刺这种人，深刺留针，多增加针数。
Qi Bo said: When the years are prime, the frame large, blood and qi full, skin and hide firm, and evil is added — needle such a one deeply and leave the needle. This is the fat person: broad in shoulder, armpit and neck, thin flesh and thick skin, of black colour, with heavy hanging lips, whose blood is black and turbid and whose qi is rough and slow. In his dealings he is greedy in taking and giving. Needle him deeply, leave the needle, and increase the number of points.
7
黃帝曰：刺瘦人奈何？
黄帝曰：刺瘦人奈何？
Huáng Dì yuē: cì shòu rén nài hé?
黄帝说：刺瘦人怎样？
The Emperor said: How is the thin person needled?
8
歧伯曰：瘦人者，皮薄色少，肉廉廉然，薄脣輕言，其血清氣滑，易脱于氣，易損于血。刺此者，淺而疾之。
歧伯曰：瘦人者，皮薄色少，肉廉廉然，薄唇轻言，其血清气滑，易脱于气，易损于血。刺此者，浅而疾之。 Qí Bó yuē: shòu rén zhě, pí bó sè shǎo, ròu lián lián rán, bó chún qīng yán, qí xuè qīng qì huá, yì tuō yú qì, yì sǔn yú xuè. cì cǐ zhě, qiǎn ér jí zhī.
歧伯说：瘦人皮薄色少，肌肉瘦削，唇薄而说话轻快，血清气滑，容易脱气，容易损血。刺这种人，要浅刺而快速出针。
Qi Bo said: The thin person has thin skin and little colour, flesh drawn tight, thin lips and light speech; his blood is clear and his qi slippery, he loses qi easily and damages blood easily. Needle him shallowly and withdraw quickly.
9
黃帝曰：刺常人奈何？
黄帝曰：刺常人奈何？
Huáng Dì yuē: cì cháng rén nài hé?
黄帝说：刺平常人怎样？
The Emperor said: How is the ordinary person needled?
10
歧伯曰：視其白黑，各爲調之，其端正敦厚者，其血氣和調。刺此者，無失常數也。
歧伯曰：视其白黑，各为调之，其端正敦厚者，其血气和调。刺此者，无失常数也。 Qí Bó yuē: shì qí bái hēi, gè wéi tiáo zhī, qí duān zhèng dūn hòu zhě, qí xuè qì hé tiáo. cì cǐ zhě, wú shī cháng shù yě.
歧伯说：看他的肤色黑白，各为调治；那些端正敦厚的，血气本来就调和。刺这种人，不要失掉常规的针数。
Qi Bo said: Look at his white or black and regulate each accordingly; those who are upright and generous have blood and qi already harmonious. Needle them without departing from the regular number.
11
黃帝曰：刺壯士真骨者奈何？
黄帝曰：刺壮士真骨者奈何？
Huáng Dì yuē: cì zhuàng shì zhēn gǔ zhě nài hé?
黄帝说：刺壮士的真骨怎样？
The Emperor said: How is the strong man of true bone needled?
12
歧伯曰：刺壯士真骨，堅肉緩節，監監然，此人重則氣濇血濁。刺此者，深而留之，多益其數。勁則氣滑血清。刺此者，淺而疾之。
歧伯曰：刺壮士真骨，坚肉缓节，监监然，此人重则气涩血浊。刺此者，深而留之，多益其数。劲则气滑血清。刺此者，浅而疾之。 Qí Bó yuē: cì zhuàng shì zhēn gǔ, jiān ròu huǎn jié, jiān jiān rán, cǐ rén zhòng zé qì sè xuè zhuó. cì cǐ zhě, shēn ér liú zhī, duō yì qí shù. jìng zé qì huá xuè qīng. cì cǐ zhě, qiǎn ér jí zhī.
歧伯说：刺壮士的真骨，骨坚而肉缓，坚实牢靠。这种人如果体重的，气涩血浊，刺他深刺留针，多增针数；如果劲急的，气滑血清，刺他浅刺而快速出针。
Qi Bo said: Needle the strong man of true bone — bone firm, flesh loose, solid and steady. If such a man is heavy, his qi is rough and his blood turbid: needle deeply, leave the needle, and increase the number. If he is brisk, his qi is slippery and his blood clear: needle shallowly and withdraw quickly.
13
黃帝曰：刺嬰兒奈何？
黄帝曰：刺婴儿奈何？
Huáng Dì yuē: cì yīng ér nài hé?
黄帝说：刺婴儿怎样？
The Emperor said: How is an infant needled?
14
歧伯曰：嬰兒者，其肉脆，血少氣弱。刺此者，以豪刺、淺刺而疾發鍼，日再可也。
歧伯曰：婴儿者，其肉脆，血少气弱。刺此者，以豪刺、浅刺而疾发针，日再可也。 Qí Bó yuē: yīng ér zhě, qí ròu cuì, xuè shǎo qì ruò. cì cǐ zhě, yǐ háo cì, qiǎn cì ér jí fā zhēn, rì zài kě yě.
歧伯说：婴儿肌肉脆薄，血少气弱。刺他要用毫针浅刺而快速出针，一天可以刺两次。
Qi Bo said: The infant’s flesh is fragile, blood scanty and qi weak. Needle with the hair needle, shallowly and with quick withdrawal; twice a day is permissible.
15
黃帝曰：臨深決水，奈何？
黄帝曰：临深决水，奈何？
Huáng Dì yuē: lín shēn jué shuǐ, nài hé?
黄帝说：临深决水，是怎样的？
The Emperor said: What is meant by opening a channel above a deep pool?
16
歧伯曰：血清氣濁，疾寫之，則氣竭焉。
歧伯曰：血清气浊，疾写之，则气竭焉。 Qí Bó yuē: xuè qīng qì zhuó, jí xiè zhī, zé qì jié yān.
歧伯说：血清而气浊的，迅速泻之，气就随之而竭。
Qi Bo said: When the blood is clear and the qi turbid, drain swiftly, and the qi is exhausted with it.
17
黃帝曰：循掘决衝，奈何？
黄帝曰：循掘决冲，奈何？
Huáng Dì yuē: xún jué jué chōng, nài hé?
黄帝说：循掘决冲，是怎样的？
The Emperor said: What is meant by following the dug course and clearing the rush?
18
歧伯曰：血濁氣濇，疾寫之，則經可通也。
歧伯曰：血浊气涩，疾写之，则经可通也。 Qí Bó yuē: xuè zhuó qì sè, jí xiè zhī, zé jīng kě tōng yě.
歧伯说：血浊而气涩的，迅速泻之，经脉就可以通。
Qi Bo said: When the blood is turbid and the qi rough, drain swiftly, and the channel can be opened.
19
黃帝曰：脉行之逆順，奈何？
黄帝曰：脉行之逆顺，奈何？ Huáng Dì yuē: mài xíng zhī nì shùn, nài hé?
黄帝说：脉行的逆顺是怎样的？
The Emperor said: What is the opposing and following of the vessels’ movement?
20
歧伯曰：手之三陰，從藏走手；手之三陽，從手走頭；足之三陽，從頭走足；足之三陰，從足走腹。
歧伯曰：手之三阴，从藏走手；手之三阳，从手走头；足之三阳，从头走足；足之三阴，从足走腹。 Qí Bó yuē: shǒu zhī sān yīn, cóng zàng zǒu shǒu; shǒu zhī sān yáng, cóng shǒu zǒu tóu; zú zhī sān yáng, cóng tóu zǒu zú; zú zhī sān yīn, cóng zú zǒu fù.
歧伯说：手的三条阴经，从脏走到手；手的三条阳经，从手走到头；足的三条阳经，从头走到足；足的三条阴经，从足走到腹。
Qi Bo said: The three yin of the hand run from the zang to the hand; the three yang of the hand from the hand to the head; the three yang of the foot from the head to the foot; the three yin of the foot from the foot to the belly.
21
黃帝曰：少陰之脉，獨下行，何也？
黄帝曰：少阴之脉，独下行，何也？ Huáng Dì yuē: shào yīn zhī mài, dú xià xíng, hé yě?
黄帝说：少阴的脉，独独向下行，为什么？
The Emperor said: The lesser yin vessel alone runs downward — why?
Qí Bó yuē: bù rán. fū chōng mài zhě, wǔ zàng liù fǔ zhī hǎi yě, wǔ zàng liù fǔ jiē bǐng yān.
歧伯说：不是这样。冲脉，是五脏六腑之海，五脏六腑都禀受它的气血。
Qi Bo said: Not so. The thoroughfare vessel is the sea of the five zang and six fu, and all of them receive from it.
23
其上者，出於頏顙，滲諸陽，灌諸精。
其上者，出于颃颡，渗诸阳，灌诸精。 qí shàng zhě, chū yú háng sǎng, shèn zhū yáng, guàn zhū jīng.
它在上面的，出于颃颡，渗灌诸阳，灌注诸精。
Its upper part emerges at the nasopharynx, seeping into the yang and irrigating the essences.
24
其下者，注少陰之大絡，出于氣街，循陰股内廉，入膕中，伏行骭骨内，下至内踝之後，屬而别。
其下者，注少阴之大络，出于气街，循阴股内廉，入腘中，伏行骭骨内，下至内踝之后，属而别。 qí xià zhě, zhù shào yīn zhī dà luò, chū yú qì jiē, xún yīn gǔ nèi lián, rù guó zhōng, fú xíng gàn gǔ nèi, xià zhì nèi huái zhī hòu, shǔ ér bié.
它在下面的，注入少阴的大络，出于气街，沿阴股内侧，进入腘中，伏行于骭骨之内，下至内踝之后，连属而分出。
Its lower part pours into the great luo of the lesser yin, emerges at Qijie, follows the inner edge of the inner thigh, enters the popliteal hollow, runs hidden within the shin bone, descends behind the inner ankle, and divides as it joins.
25
其下者，並于少陰之經，滲三陰。
其下者，并于少阴之经，渗三阴。 qí xià zhě, bìng yú shào yīn zhī jīng, shèn sān yīn.
它再向下的，与少阴经并行，渗灌三阴。
Its further descent runs beside the lesser yin channel and seeps into the three yin.
26
其前者，伏行出跗屬，下循跗，入大指問，滲諸絡而温肌肉。故别絡結，則跗上不動，不動則厥，厥則寒矣。
其前者，伏行出跗属，下循跗，入大指问，渗诸络而温肌肉。故别络结，则跗上不动，不动则厥，厥则寒矣。 qí qián zhě, fú xíng chū fū shǔ, xià xún fū, rù dà zhǐ wèn, shèn zhū luò ér wēn jī ròu. gù bié luò jié, zé fū shàng bù dòng, bù dòng zé jué, jué zé hán yǐ.
它向前行的，伏行而出于跗属，向下沿跗，进入大指之间，渗灌诸络而温养肌肉。所以别络结滞，足跗上就不能活动，不能活动就成为厥，厥就发寒。
Its forward part runs hidden, emerging at the instep, follows the instep down, enters between the great toes, seeps into the network of luo and warms the flesh. So when a separate luo is knotted, the instep cannot move; not moving, there is reversal; reversal means cold.
27
黃帝曰：何以明之？
黄帝曰：何以明之？
Huáng Dì yuē: hé yǐ míng zhī?
黄帝说：怎样证明呢？
The Emperor said: How is this made clear?
28
歧伯曰：以言導之，切而驗之，其非必動，然後乃可明逆順之行也。
歧伯曰：以言导之，切而验之，其非必动，然后乃可明逆顺之行也。 Qí Bó yuē: yǐ yán dǎo zhī, qiè ér yàn zhī, qí fēi bì dòng, rán hòu nǎi kě míng nì shùn zhī xíng yě.
歧伯说：用言语引导它，切按而验证它，若不是这样，脉气必然变动，然后才可以明白逆顺的运行。
Qi Bo said: Guide it with words, verify it by pressing; if it is not so, it must move — and only then can the opposing and following of its movement be made clear.
29
黃帝曰：窘乎哉！聖人之爲道也，明于日月，微于毫釐，其非夫子，孰能道之也。
黄帝曰：窘乎哉！圣人之为道也，明于日月，微于毫厘，其非夫子，孰能道之也。 Huáng Dì yuē: jiǒng hū zāi! shèng rén zhī wéi dào yě, míng yú rì yuè, wēi yú háo lí, qí fēi fū zǐ, shú néng dào zhī yě.
黄帝说：难啊！圣人作道，明于日月，微于毫厘，若不是先生，谁能讲得出来。
The Emperor said: How difficult! The sage’s making of a way is bright as sun and moon and fine as a hair; but for you, Master, who could speak of it?