问「知行合一」。
先生曰：「此须识我立言宗旨。今人学问，只因知、行分作两件，故有一念发动，虽是不善，然却未曾行，便不去禁止。我今说个『知行合一』，正要人晓得一念发动处，便即是行了；发动处有不善，就将这不善的念克倒了，须要彻根彻底不使那一念不善潜伏在胸中；此是我立言宗旨。」
有人问「知行合一」。
先生说：「这必须明白我的立言宗旨。如今的人做学问，只因把知行分作两件，所以有一念发动，虽然是不善，却未曾行，便不去禁止。我如今说个『知行合一』，正是要人晓得一念发动处，便即是行了；发动处有不善，就将这不善的念克倒，必须彻根彻底，不使那一念不善潜伏在胸中。这是我的立言宗旨。」
Someone asked about the unity of knowledge and action.
The Master said: 'You must know the intent of my words. Scholars today, splitting knowledge and action in two, let an evil thought stir — since not yet acted, they do not forbid it. My unity of knowledge and action is to make men know that the stirring of a thought is already action; find evil at the stirring, and topple it there — root and branch, letting no evil thought lie lurking in the breast. That is the intent of my words.'