《南史·列传·卷三十四》
皇上不愿意让威权落在下面，前后主管选官的人都只是执行文书，而颜师伯专情独断，所奏无不获准。
上不欲威权在下，前后领选者唯奉行文书，师伯专情独断，奏无不可。
The Emperor did not want the authority to be in the hands of his subordinates, and so over time, those in charge of selecting officials would only implement the paperwork, and Yan Shibo would be solely responsible for making decisions, and all of his proposals were approved.