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My late father, the Gentleman of Shicheng, whose personal name was Kunjian and courtesy name was Yizhang, once said to me during his leisure from reading: "The Way of Medicine is extremely profound and subtle. If one clearly comprehends it and practices accordingly, one can benefit the multitude; if one acts rashly, one merely suffices to kill people. You have studied medicine for years; have you also grasped its essentials?" I rose and replied: "In ancient times, Xuanyuan (the Yellow Emperor) established the *Bencao* (Materia Medica) and composed the *Neijing* (Inner Canon). Masters such as Lu Yi, Bian Que, Leigong, and Tongjun all adhered to their rules and standards. In the Han, Jin, Tang, and Song dynasties, few were able to transcend this scope. Today, by studying their remaining texts and understanding their purport, I find that there are two main gates: one is Diagnosis (Zhen), and the other is Treatment (Zhi). Observation, Auscultation and Olfaction, Inquiry, and Palpation constitute the Diagnostic Methods; Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine constitute the Therapeutic Methods. To treat, one must first diagnose. Without diagnosis, one cannot know the disease; without diagnosis, one cannot determine the treatment. However, to understand why diagnosis should be conducted in a certain way and to investigate its rationale, one must consider the principles of heaven and earth across past and present, the suitability of high and low regions in the north and south, the differences in seasonal climates, the variations of yin and yang between day and night, the inequality of innate constitution strength, and the diversity of living conditions for the young and old. All these are manifested in the Four Diagnostic Methods. Does it not go beyond merely understanding Qi and Blood, Collaterals, Skin, Flesh, Sinews, and Bones, as well as the involvement of the Zang-Fu Organs in diseases and the Seven Emotions and Six Evils in symptoms? What appears externally originates internally; what manifests here stems from there. Thus, one can trace the end from the beginning and exhaust the source by following the flow. Therefore, methods of Cold, Heat, Tonification, and Drainage are determined by diagnosis; the principle of Root and Branch, Priority and Delay, is distinguished by diagnosis; the Seven Forms, Ten Categories, Eight Methods, and Nine Needles are all decided upon based on diagnosis. The sages of old spoke of 'understanding principles'—this is understanding these principles; 'differentiating syndromes'—this is differentiating these syndromes. If principles are not understood, syndromes cannot be differentiated; if syndromes are not differentiated, treatments cannot be distinguished. Hence, treating disease requires knowing diagnosis, and diagnosing disease requires following the Classics. My late father said, 'You have entered the door, but have not yet reached the inner chamber.' The Classic texts are profound, and diagnostic methods are subtle. Having recognized the general outline, one must especially examine the details. Be cautious! This is the work of exhausting principles and completing nature, the effort of investigating things to extend knowledge. It entrusts family and life, and relates to death and birth. The *Classic of Poetry* says: 'As if cutting and filing, as if carving and polishing.' Encourage yourself, encourage yourself. I retired and recorded these words, constantly using them to warn myself. Now, having written *Zunjing*, moved by this sentiment, I write it at the beginning of the chapters to inform future generations." Written by Wang Hongguang of Xin'an at Hangbu, Xi'an, in the early part of the third month of the first year of Guangxu.