《宋史·列传·卷一百九十》
了解他的人应该共同努力，使他在事业上有所成就。 石延年给尹洙回信说 ：今天精通文字爱好古文的人最少而且不发达，假若遗弃这个人，那么这种学问就更加衰落了。 石延年平生最不喜欢拜访大官，他四五次到叶道卿的大门，只把书信递进去。
其才又达世务，使少用于世，必过人远甚，恨其贫不能决其归心，知之者当共成之。 延年复书曰： 今业文好古之士至鲜且不张，苟遗若人，其学益衰矣。 延年素不喜谒贵仕，凡四五至道卿门，通其书乃已。
Those who knew him should make a joint effort to help him achieve something in his career. Shi Yanyan replied to Yin Shu, saying: Nowadays, there are very few people who understand Chinese characters and are interested in ancient literature, so if we abandon this person, then this kind of learning will decline even further. Shi Yanyan disliked visiting high officials most in his life, and although he went to Ye Daoqing's front door four or five times, he only handed in a letter.