又曰：「诸君功夫，最不可『助长』。上智绝少，学者无超入圣人之理，一起一伏，一进一退，自是功夫节次，不可以我前日用得功夫了，今却不济，便要矫强做出一个没破绽的模样，这便是『助长』，连前些子功夫都坏了。此非小过。譬如行路的人遭一蹶跌，起来便走，不要欺人做那不曾跌倒的样子出来。诸君只要常常怀个『遁世无闷，不见是而无闷』之心，依此良知忍耐做去，不管人非笑，不管人毁谤，不管人荣辱，任他功夫有进有退，我只是这致良知的主宰不息，久久，自然有得力处，一切外事亦自能不动。」又曰：「人若著实用功，随人毁谤，随人欺慢，处处得益，处处是进德之资；若不用功，只是魔也，终被累倒。」
又说：「诸位的功夫，最不可『助长』。上智的人绝少，学者没有一步登入圣人之境的道理。一起一伏、一进一退，本是功夫的节次。不可因为前日用得功夫了，今天不济，便要勉强装出一个没有破绽的模样，这就是『助长』，连以前那点功夫都坏了。这不是小过错。譬如行路的人跌了一跤，爬起来就走，不要骗人摆出一副不曾跌倒的样子。诸位只要常怀一个『遁世无闷、不见是而无闷』的心，依此良知忍耐做去，不管别人讥笑，不管别人毁谤，不管荣辱，任凭功夫有进有退，我只是这致良知的主宰不息。久了，自然有得力处，一切外事也自然不能动。」又说：「人若着实用功，任人毁谤欺慢，处处得益，处处是进德之资；若不用功，那都是魔，终要被累倒。」
He also said: 'Your work must above all not force growth. Highest minds are rare; no learner steps straight into sagehood. Rise and dip, advance and retreat, are the natural stages of the work. Because yesterday's work went well and today's fails, to strain into a flawless show is forcing growth — and it spoils even the earlier gain. This is no small fault. Like a traveler who stumbles: rise and walk — do not play the man who never fell. Hold ever the heart unvexed in hiding, unvexed though unaffirmed; by innate knowledge, patiently, regardless of laughter, slander, honor or disgrace; let the work advance and retreat, only let this master of extending innate knowledge never rest. Long enough, strength comes of itself, and outward things lose their power to move.' He added: 'Work in earnest, and slander and slight are all profit, all fuel for virtue; work not, and they are demons that will drag you down.'