《论衡·卷十二·谢短篇》
《程材》、《量知》，讲到儒生和文吏的才能不相上下，因为儒生掌握了先王之道，文吏通晓公文，由于先王之道胜过具体事务，所以认为儒生稍稍胜过文吏。
《程材》、《量知》，言儒生、文吏之材不能相过；以儒生修大道，以文吏晓簿书，道胜於事，故谓儒生颇愈文吏也。
"Chengcai" and "Liangzhi" say that the talents of Confucian scholars and scribes are close to each other, because Confucian scholars have mastered the way of the ancient sages and scribes are well-versed in official documents. Since the way of the ancient sages is superior to tangible affairs, it is considered that Confucian scholars are slightly superior to scribes.