问：「孟子『巧力、圣智』之说，朱子云：『三子力有余而巧不足。』何如？」
先生曰：「三子固有力亦有巧，巧、力实非两事，巧亦只在用力处，力而不巧，亦是徒力。三子譬如射，一能步箭，一能马箭，一能远箭，他射得到俱谓之力，中处俱可谓之巧；但步不能马，马不能远，各有所长，便是才力分限有不同处；孔子则三者皆长。然孔子之和只到得柳下惠而极，清只到得伯夷而极，任只到得伊尹而极，何曾加得些子？若谓『三子力有余而巧不足』，则其力反过孔子了。『巧力』只是发明『圣、知』之义，若识得『圣、知』本体是何物，便自了然。」
问：「孟子『巧力、圣智』的比喻，朱子说：『三子力有余而巧不足。』怎样？」
先生说：「三位既有力也有巧。巧与力实在不是两回事，巧只在用力处；有力而无巧，也只是白费力气。三位譬如射箭：一位能步射，一位能马射，一位能远射。射得着都叫作力，射得中都叫作巧；只是步射不能马射、马射不能远射，各有所长，便是才力分限的不同。孔子则三者皆长。然而孔子的『和』只到柳下惠而止，『清』只到伯夷而止，『任』只到伊尹而止，何曾多加一分？若说『三子力有余而巧不足』，那他们的力反超过孔子了。『巧力』只是发明『圣智』之义；若识得『圣智』本体是什么，自然了然。」
Asked: 'Mencius's skill and strength figure for sagehood and wisdom — Zhu said the three had strength to spare but skill wanting. How?'
The Master said: 'The three had strength and skill alike. Skill and strength are no two things: skill lies just where strength is applied; strength without skill is strength thrown away. The three were like archers: one shooting afoot, one from horseback, one at far range — reaching the mark is strength, hitting it is skill; but the afoot could not ride, the rider not shoot far — each his gift, the difference of endowment's measure. Confucius excelled at all three. Yet his harmony reached Liu Xiahui's and could go no further, his purity Boyi's, his devotedness Yi Yin's — when did he add a hair? Say the three had strength to spare but skill wanting, and their strength outstrips Confucius himself. Skill-and-strength only unfolds the sense of sagehood and wisdom: know what that substance is, and all is plain.'