问：「近来妄念也觉少，亦觉不曾著想定要如何用功。不知此是工夫否？」
先生曰：「汝且去著实用功，便多这些著想也不妨，久久自会妥帖。若才下得些功，便说效验，何足为恃？」
问：「近来妄念也觉得少了，也觉得不曾刻意要想怎样用功。不知这算不算功夫？」
先生说：「你且去切实用功，便多这些着想也不妨，久了自然会妥帖。若才下得一点功夫便讲效验，哪里靠得住？」
Asked: 'Of late the wild thoughts are fewer, yet I do not deliberately plan the work either — is this the work or not?'
The Master said: 'Go work in earnest; even such planning will do no harm — in time it settles of itself. A little work done, and already talking of fruits — what is there to lean on?'