《资治通鉴·汉纪·汉纪三十五》
马援的宗旨是要对人有恩德，讲求信誉，对下宽厚，任用官吏职责分明，自己只总揽大局。因此，宾客故旧每天都挤满大门。
援务开恩信，宽以待下，任吏以职，但总大体，而宾客故人日满其门。
Ma Yuan's policy was to do favors to people, pay great attention to trustworthiness, be lenient to his subordinates, and clearly distinguish responsibilities when employing officials, with him only taking charge of the general situation. Therefore, every day his guests, old friends and acquaintances filled his front gate.