《资治通鉴·汉纪·汉纪十》
所以圣明的君主在位时，治理国家，整顿百姓，严明有关制度；善与恶的区分主要取决于是立功还是犯罪，而不受舆论毁誉的扰乱，听其言还得责求行事，举出名还要指出实。
是以圣王在上，经国序民，正其制度；善恶要于功罪而不淫于毁誉，听其言而责其事，举其名而指其实。
Hence a sage prince, in his government of the state and regulation of the people, defines clearly the fundamental institutions; he distinguishes good and evil mainly by the tests of doing merit or committing crimes, and does not allow public opinion, whether for approval or blame, to disturb his judgment; he listens to words but requires a corresponding action in support, and praises reputations only when they accord with the facts.