《庄子·外篇·天运》
孔子对老聃说： 我研修《诗》《书》《礼》《乐》《易》《春秋》六部经书，自认为很久很久了，熟悉了旧时的各种典章制度；用违反先王之制的七十二个国君为例，论述先王的方略和彰明周公、召公的政绩，可是一个国君也没有取用我的主张。
孔子谓老聃曰： 丘治《诗》、《书》、《礼》、《乐》、《易》、《春秋》六经，自以为久矣，孰知其故矣，以奸者七十二君，论先王之道而明周、召之迹，一君无所钩用。
Confucius said to Laozi: I have studied the six classics of the Book of Songs, Book of Documents, Rites, Music, Changes, and Spring and Autumn Annals for a long, long time. I am familiar with the various ancient rules and systems. Taking the seventy-two monarchs who violated the laws of the previous kings as examples, I elaborated on the strategies of the previous kings and illustrious achievements of the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao. However, none of the monarchs adopted my suggestions.