Mi Fu collected old writings and paintings as his family wealth gradually diminished. Gradually his collection became of high value. He also inherited some of the calligraphies from his collection. He wrote: When a man of today obtains such an old sample it seems to him as important as his life, which is ridiculous. It is in accordance with human nature, that things which satisfy the eye, when seen for a long time become boring; therefore they should be exchanged for fresh examples, which then appear double satisfying. That is the intelligent way of using pictures.