明覺禪師語錄 1.85

1.85

上堂云：「直釣釣鯤鯨，曲釣釣龜鼈。曲釣若在鯤鯨，理應未可；直釣若在龜鼈，情亦不甘。如今拋釣也，負命者上鉤來。」良久云：「勞而無功。」便下座。

Ascending the hall, he said, "A straight hook hooks leviathans and whales; a curved hook hooks turtles and softshells. If the curved hook were used on leviathans and whales, in principle it would certainly not do; if the straight hook were used on turtles and softshells, the situation also would not be pleasing. Now I cast the hook; let those who risk their lives come onto the hook!" After a long while, he said, "Labor without result." He then descended from the seat.