This is the first volume of the Discourses, hence what is written is for the most part on the intention of devoting oneself to the fundamentals (ben 本, “root”). These serve as the gate through which one enters the Way (dao 道), the foundation for accumulating virtue (de 德), and the first concern of the student. Altogether there are sixteen verses.
– Zhu Xi 朱熹
此為書之首篇，故所記多務本之意，乃入道之門、積德之基、學者之先務也。凡十六章。
Translated text: Discourses with Collected Commentaries, Qing Dynasty imperial library edition, pg1: volume one introduction.