门人作文送友行，问先生曰：「作文字不免费思，作了后又一二日常记茌怀。」
曰：「文字思索亦无害；但作了常记在怀，则为文所累，心中有一物矣，此则未可也。」又作诗送人。先生看诗毕，谓曰：「凡作文字要随我分限所及，若说得太过了，亦非修辞立诚矣。」
门人作文送友远行，问先生：「作文字不免费心思，作了之后又一两天常记挂在怀。」
先生说：「文字思索也无妨；但作了常记在怀，就被文所累，心中存了一物，这不可以。」又作诗送人。先生看诗后说：「凡作文字要随我分量所及；若说得太过了，也不是修辞立诚。」
A disciple, composing a farewell piece, asked: 'Writing costs thought, and for a day or two after it hangs in the mind.'
The Master said: 'The thinking is harmless; but to keep it hanging is to be burdened by the piece — a thing lodged in the heart. That will not do.' Another composed a farewell poem; reading it, the Master said: 'Let writing follow your measure; overreach the mark, and it is no longer language setting forth sincerity.'