《汉书·传·董仲舒传》
仁、义、礼、智、信是五种恒久不变的道，这是王者应培养整饬的。这五种道能培养整饬好，就能得到天的保佑，鬼神也来赞助他接受祭祀，恩德就会普及到国外，扩大到一切生命。
夫仁、谊、礼、知、信五常之道，王者所当修饬也；五者修饬，故受天之晁，而享鬼神之灵，德施于方外，延及群生也。
Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness are the five permanent and unchanging ways, which are what the emperor should cultivate and rectify. If the five ways can be cultivated and rectified well, they will be blessed by heaven, and ghosts and gods will also come to sponsor him for worship, and the favor will spread to other countries and extend to all lives.