During the Warring States period in ancient China, there was a famous doctor named Bian Que. His two older brothers were also doctors, but they were less famous than Bian Que. One day, the king of Wei asked Bian Que,
“Who is the greatest doctor among you and your two brothers?”
Then Bian Que replied, “My oldest brother is the greatest, my second oldest brother is the next, and I am the weakest and poorest.” The king wondered and asked him why.
He said, “My oldest brother can tell at a glance what is wrong, and helps people avoid getting sick. So, they do not even recognize that he has already managed their conditions to prevent illness. My second oldest brother notices the symptoms of patients when their conditions are not serious and cures them before they get worse. So, they think that he only cures a slight illness. But I can detect people’s diseases when they are already critically ill. As I cure them while they are in a serious condition, they thank me, saying that I have saved their lives. This is why I’ve been known as a great doctor.”