《汉书·传·公孙弘卜式儿宽传》
后来淮南王、衡山王谋反，朝廷正在严厉追查其党羽的时候，公孙弘得了重病，他感到自己无功而封侯，官居宰相之位，应该辅佐圣明的皇帝平定安抚国家，使得人们都遵循作臣子的道义。
后淮南、衡山谋反，治党与方急，弘病甚，自以为无功而封侯，居宰相位，宜佐明主填抚国家，使人由臣子之道。
Later, when the Marquis of Huainan and the Marquis of Hengshan rebelled, the court was severely cracking down on their followers. Gongsun Hong fell seriously ill. He felt that he had achieved his position as Chancellor and Marquis without merit, and he should assist the wise Emperor and pacify the country so that people would follow the right path.