《宋史·列传·卷二百一十四》
吕祖俭贬谪，朱熹写信给他说： 我以官职则比子约你高，以皇上顾遇恩礼比子约你重，但坐视一群小人的作为，不能讲一句话以报效皇上，却让子约你独舒烦闷不平，触犯众小人而赴祸机，非常惭愧叹息。 吕祖俭回信说 ：在朝廷参予时事，就像在水火中，不可以居住一早上。
祖俭之谪也，朱熹与书曰： 熹以官则高于子约，以上之顾遇恩礼则深于子约，然坐视群小之为，不能一言以报效，乃令子约独舒愤懑，触群小而蹈祸机，其愧叹深矣。 祖俭报书曰： 在朝行闻时事，如在水火中，不可一朝居。
When Lu Zu Jian was exiled, Zhu Xi wrote to him: My position is higher than yours, the emperor's grace towards me is more than yours, but I watched as a group of villains acted as they wished, I could not say a word to repay the emperor, but I made you bear the frustration and anger alone, offending the villains and facing the risk of getting hurt, I am very ashamed and regretful. Lu Zu Jian wrote back: When participating in political affairs in the court, it is like being in fire and water, it is not a place to live for a morning.