医，仁道也。盖始于神农黄帝，其后扁鹊、华佗之流皆神于其术。然世之君子，欲博施
济众者，未尝不用心焉。故以伊芳尹之圣而论汤液，陆宣公、许学士皆着方书以传。若此者非
一也，其仁之及于人可以数计哉！天地之生人，仁也，然不能使之全其生，故圣贤为医药，
以济其夭死，所以成天地之仁，而为人司命也。此其心盖与天地流通矣，而可以艺小之耶。
礼部尚书毗陵胡公，初使于四方，公事之暇，辑诸医方之有验者，凡十二卷，名之曰《卫生
易简方》。既表献于太宗皇帝，将复锓梓，以惠天下。公之心盖尹、陆宣公、许学士之心
也。昔之君子有自明其志者，曰∶达则为良相，不达则为良医。盖二者皆得，以施其博济之
仁。今公有是书传于人，人之受惠者多矣。而又佐天子，任礼乐之事，推以节民心，和民声，
充而至于赞天地，育万物，然后为功之成。此仁者之所能，而达者之所为也。岂特医乎哉！
故因观是书而识于后云。
奉议大夫右春坊右庶子兼翰林侍读学士泰和王直题
医学，是施行仁爱的道术。它始于神农氏和黄帝，后来的扁鹊、华佗等人都在医术上达到了神妙的境界。然而世间那些君子，想要广泛施予恩惠、救济众人的，未曾不在此处用心用力的。所以像伊尹那样以圣人之德来论述汤液（中药煎剂），陆宣公、许学士都撰写方书以流传后世。像这样的例子数不胜数，其仁爱惠及百姓的数量岂能计算得尽呢！天地化生人类，体现的是仁爱，但天地不能保证人完全保全生命，所以圣贤创立医药，来救助那些早夭死亡的人，以此来成全天地的仁爱，并为人掌管生死命运。这种心意大概与天地相通流转了，难道可以把它看作微小的技艺吗？
礼部尚书毗陵人胡公，起初出使四方，在公务之余，收集整理各位医家中验证有效的药方，共十二卷，命名为《卫生易简方》。已经进献给太宗皇帝，准备再次刻印梓行，以造福天下人。胡公的心意大概与伊尹、陆宣公、许学士的心意是一样的。过去的君子中有人表明自己的志向说：“显达时就做优秀的宰相，不得志时就做优秀的医生。”因为这两者都能用来施展广泛救济的仁爱之心。如今胡公有这本书流传于世，受惠的人就很多了。他又辅佐天子，掌管礼乐事务，推行以节制民心，调和民声，扩充这种德行以至于赞助天地，养育万物，然后才算大功告成。这是仁者所能做到的，也是通达之人所做的事。这哪里仅仅是医学呢！所以我因此观看这本书而在后面记下这些文字。
奉议大夫、右春坊右庶子兼翰林侍读学士泰和王直题写
Medicine is the Way of Benevolence (Ren). It originated with Shennong and the Yellow Emperor, and later figures such as Bian Que and Hua Tuo achieved divine proficiency in their arts. Yet, gentlemen of the world who wish to bestow benefits broadly and relieve the masses have never failed to apply themselves diligently to this field. Thus, Yi Yin, possessing sage virtue, discussed decoctions (Tangye, herbal preparations); Lu Xuangong and Academician Xu both authored medical formularies to transmit them. There are many such examples; the number of people benefited by their benevolence cannot be counted! The generation of humans by Heaven and Earth embodies benevolence, yet it cannot ensure that humans fully preserve their lives. Therefore, sages and worthies established medicine to rescue those who die prematurely, thereby completing the benevolence of Heaven and Earth, and acting as guardians of human destiny. Their minds likely flowed in harmony with Heaven and Earth; how could such a thing be considered a trivial skill?
Hu Gong, Minister of Rites from Piling, initially served as an envoy to various regions. In his spare time from official duties, he compiled verified effective prescriptions from various physicians into twelve volumes, naming them *Weisheng Yijian Fang* (Simple and Easy Prescriptions for Health Preservation). Having presented them to Emperor Taizong, he prepared to have them woodblock printed again to benefit all under heaven. Hu Gong's mind was likely the same as that of Yi Yin, Lu Xuangong, and Academician Xu. In ancient times, some gentlemen expressed their aspirations, saying: "If successful, one becomes a good prime minister; if not, one becomes a good physician." Both roles allow one to exert broad, relieving benevolence. Now, with Hu Gong's book being transmitted to people, many will receive its benefits. Furthermore, he assists the Son of Heaven in managing rituals and music, promoting measures to regulate the hearts of the people and harmonize their voices, expanding these virtues until they assist Heaven and Earth and nurture all things, thus achieving complete merit. This is what a benevolent person can accomplish, and what a successful person does. Is it merely about medicine? Therefore, having observed this book, I record these words at the end.
Wang Zhi of Taihe, holding the rank of Fenyi Dafu, Right Shuzi of the Right Spring Mansion, and concurrently Hanlin Shidu Xueshi, inscribed this.