《汉书·志·刑法志》
现在汉朝承继衰落的周朝、残暴的秦朝的极端流弊，世风已薄于三代，却使用尧、舜的刑罚，就像以缰绳来驾驭凶悍的马匹一样，违反拯救时代的合适方针。
今汉承衰周暴秦极敝之流，俗已薄于三代，而行尧、舜之刑，是犹以鞿而御駻突，违救时之宜矣。
Now, the Han Dynasty has inherited the extreme evils of the weak Zhou Dynasty and the brutal Qin Dynasty, and morality today is more decadent than it was during the Three Dynasties, yet the Han Dynasty is using the punishments of Yao and Shun. This is like using bridles to control fierce horses and is against the best way to save the day.