《淮南子·缪称训》
它应当是好比 鼓 ，没有什么和它相调和，但也没有什么和它相不合，在鼓点的控制下，琴瑟箫笛、金钟石磬，大大小小、长长短短都能井然有序，各种声音互相协调应和，奏出美妙的乐曲。同样，君主身处上位，群臣自处下位，尽管官职各不相同、事务各有区别，但配合协调得就像一支乐章。
喜憎议而治乱分矣。圣人之行，无所合，无所离，譬若鼓，无所与调，无所不比。丝管金石，小大修短有叙，异声而和；君臣上下，官职有差，殊事而调。
It should be like a drum, which does not harmonize with anything, but also does not conflict with anything. Under the control of the drumbeat, qin, se, xiao, di, jinzhong, and shiqing, big and small, long and short, can all be well-ordered, and various sounds can be coordinated and harmonized to play beautiful music. Similarly, the monarch is in the upper position, and the ministers are in the lower position. Although their official positions are different and their affairs are different, they cooperate and coordinate like a piece of music.