一友问「功夫不切」。
先生曰：「学问功夫，我已曾一句道尽，如何今日转说转远，都不著根！」
对曰：「致良知盖闻教矣，然亦须讲明。」
先生曰：「既知致良知，又何可讲明？良知本是明白，实落用功便是，不肯用功，只在语言上转说转楜涂。」
曰：「正求讲明致之之功。」
先生曰：「此亦须你自家求，我亦无别法可道。昔有禅师，人来问法，只把尘尾提起。一日，其徒将其尘尾藏过，试他如何设法。禅师寻尘尾不见，又只空手提起。我这个良知就是设法的尘尾，舍了这个，有何可提得？」
少间，又一友请问功夫切要。
先生旁顾曰：「我尘尾安在？」
一时在坐著皆跃然。
一位朋友问「功夫不切」怎么办。
先生说：「学问功夫，我已曾一句话道尽，怎么今天越说越远，都不着根！」
答：「致良知虽已闻教，但也须讲明。」
先生说：「既知致良知，又何必讲明？良知本是明白的，切实用功就是。不肯用功，只在语言上转，越转越糊涂。」
说：「正是求讲明致知的功夫。」
先生说：「这也须你自己去求，我没有别的法子可说。从前有位禅师，人来问法，只把拂尘提起。一天，弟子把拂尘藏起来，试他怎样说法。禅师找拂尘不见，也只空手提起。我这个良知就是说法的拂尘，舍了这个，还有什么可提的？」
过了一会儿，又有一位朋友请问功夫切要。
先生环顾左右说：「我的拂尘在哪里？」
一时在座的人都跃然而笑。
A friend asked about the work not being to the point.
The Master said: 'I have said the whole of learning's work in one sentence; how is it today the further told, the farther it strays, never touching root!'
'Extension of innate knowledge I have heard — yet it must be explained.'
'Knowing extension, what need of explaining? Innate knowledge is plain of itself: simply work in earnest. Unwilling to work, spinning words, one spins only deeper into fog.'
'I seek precisely the how of extending.'
'That too you must seek yourself; I have no other device. A Chan master of old, asked for the Law, only lifted his horsetail whisk. One day his disciples hid the whisk to try him. Finding it gone, he lifted his empty hand just the same. This innate knowledge of mine is the whisk of expounding: drop it, and what is there to lift?'
Soon after, another friend asked for the essential of the work.
The Master looked about: 'Where is my whisk?'
All present broke into laughter.