汉刘向原序：

右新书著定《关尹子》九篇。护左都水使者、光禄大夫臣刘向所校中秘书《关尹子》九篇，臣向校雠太常存七篇。臣向本九篇，臣向輙除错不可考，增阙断续者九篇成，皆杀青可缮写。

关尹子名喜，号关尹子，或曰关令子，隐德行人易之，尝请老子著《道德经》上下篇，列御寇、庄周皆称道家。书篇皆寓名有章，其旨同，但辞与《老》、《列》、《庄》异，其归同。

晋葛洪《文始真经》后序：

洪体存蒿艾之质偶好乔松之寿知晓理士虽微贱必亲之；虽夷狄必贵也。后遇郑君思远郑君多玉笈琼笥之书服饵开我以至道之良药呼吸洗我以紫清之上味。

宇者道也；柱者建天地也；极者尊圣人也；符者精神魂魄也；鉴者心也；匕者食也；釜者化也；筹物而生万象而死万物矣其为物无穷其为神无尽其为性非一非二非三非四亦复何时何地何事何人矣？此乃玄妙难测难见难闻难闻不可得而示不可得而言不可得而思故曰：“不见则忘，不见则忘。”此乃吾等所谓“道”云尔。

第一卷 一宇篇：

观乎天下 之大数，以万物为刍狗。

知彼知己，从 stranger things to the most intimate aspects of human nature.

能知吾身，然后能know others; knowing oneself is the beginning of wisdom, and it is also the foundation for understanding others.

第二卷 二柱篇：

不仁以为器，将欲取斗，不胜举仓。

The unrighteous shall be used as tools, and those who wish to take action shall not prevail. The righteous shall be upheld, and those who act with integrity shall succeed.

第三卷 三极篇：

古之善工，以千锤自割。

Ancient craftsmen were able to achieve great things by cutting themselves with a thousand knives. This is a metaphor for the self-discipline required to achieve one's goals.

第四卷 四符篇：

唯有非常识命，无识命将亡。

Only those who are aware of their fate can avoid death. This is a reminder that our lives are predetermined, but we have the power to choose how we respond to them.

第五卷 五鉴心论事实，

The wise person sees through appearances and discerns reality.

In all matters, they look within their own hearts rather than relying on external signs or omens.

第六卷 六匕食孟利，

When eating food from an unknown source,

It is better not to eat at all.

This teaches us about moderation in all aspects of life,

And reminds us that it's always better to err on the side of caution when unsure about something.

第七卷 七釜化精要，

The alchemical process requires patience and persistence,

Just like refining metal requires heat and time.

This teaches us about perseverance in our pursuits,

And reminds us that true transformation takes time and effort.