《后汉书·列传·党锢列传》
到了桓帝灵帝的时代，君主荒乱，政治腐败，国家的命脉掌握在宦官手里，读书人认为同他们在一起可耻。所以平民百姓，愤愤不平，处士们放肆议论，标榜名节，彼此褒扬，评比公卿，议论执政的得失，刚正不阿的风气于是大行。
逮桓、灵之间，主荒政缪，国命委于阉寺，士子羞与为伍，故匹夫抗愤，处士横议，遂乃激扬名声，互相题拂，品核公卿，裁量执政，婞直之风，于斯行矣。
In the era of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling, the monarch was in chaos, the politics corrupted, and the lifeline of the country was in the hands of the eunuchs. The scholars felt that it was shameful to be with them. Therefore, the common people were indignant and dissatisfied, the recluses made bold comments, praised for their integrity, complimented each other, praised the dukes and ministers, and commented on the merits of the ruling, and the honest and upright style became popular.