问「志于道」一章。
先生曰：「只『志道』一句，便含下面数句功夫，自住不得。譬如做此屋：『志于道』是念念要去择地鸠材，经营成个区宅；『据德』却是经画已成，有可据矣；『依仁』却是常常住在区宅内，更不离去；『游艺』却是加些画采，美此区宅。艺者，义也，理之所宜者也，如诵诗、读书、弹琴、习射之类；皆所以调习此心，使之熟于道也。苟不『志道』而『游艺』，却如无状小子，不先去置造区宅，只管要去买画挂做门面，不知将挂在何处？」
有人问「志于道」一章。
先生说：「只『志道』一句，便包含下面几句的功夫，自然停不下来。譬如盖房子：『志于道』是念念要去选地备料，经营成一个宅院；『据德』是规划已成，有了可以依据的；『依仁』是常常住在这宅院里，再不离开；『游艺』是添些彩绘，美化这宅院。艺，就是义，是理之所在适宜的事，如诵诗、读书、弹琴、习射之类，都是用来调习此心，使它纯熟于道。若不『志道』而先『游艺』，就像个不成器的子弟，不去先置办宅院，只管去买画来装点门面，不知要挂在哪里？」
Someone asked about the chapter 'set the will on the Way.'
The Master said: 'The first clause, setting the will, already holds the work of all the rest — it cannot stop. Like building a house: setting the will on the Way is choosing the ground and gathering timber, raising the dwelling; basing on virtue is the plan complete, something to stand on; leaning on humaneness is dwelling ever inside, never leaving; roaming the arts is adding paint and grace to the house. The arts are rightness — what principle finds fit: reciting poems, reading, the lute, archery — all to season this heart to ripeness in the Way. To roam the arts without first setting the will is the wastrel who builds no house, only buys paintings for a front — where would he hang them?'