刘观时问：「『未发之中』是如何？」
先生曰：「汝但戒慎不睹，恐惧不闻，养得此心纯是天理，便自然见。」
观时请略示气象。
先生曰：「哑子吃苦瓜，与你说不得。你要知此苦，还须你自吃。」
时曰仁在傍，曰：「如此才是真知即是行矣。」
一时在座诸友皆有省。
刘观时问：「『未发之中』是怎样的？」
先生说：「你只要戒慎不睹、恐惧不闻，养得此心纯是天理，便自然见到。」
观时请大略指示一下气象。
先生说：「哑巴吃苦瓜，跟你说不得。你要知道这个苦，还须你自己吃。」
当时徐爱在旁边说：「这样才是真知即是行了。」
一时在座的朋友们都有省悟。
Liu Guanshi asked: 'What is the equilibrium before arousal like?'
The Master said: 'Only be vigilant over the unseen and fearful over the unheard, nourishing this mind pure in heavenly principle, and you will see it of yourself.'
Guanshi asked for some hint of its aspect.
The Master said: 'A mute eating a bitter melon — it cannot be told you. To know the bitterness you must eat it yourself.'
Xu Ai, at his side, said: 'So true knowledge is itself action.'
All the friends present that day had an awakening.