《资治通鉴·汉纪·汉纪六》
用奖赏来奖励善行，用刑罚来惩治罪恶，先王推行这样的政治，坚定如金石；实施这样的法令，准确无误如春夏秋冬四季；有了这一公正的原则，政治才能像地载天覆一样无偏无私；怎能认为先王不使用奖赏和刑罚呢？
若夫庆赏以劝善，刑罚以惩恶，先王执此之政，坚如金石；行此之令，信如四时；据此之公，无私如天地，岂顾不用哉？
To use rewards to recompense the good, to use punishment to chastise the evil, the early kings enforced their government, firm as stone and metal; they carried out their laws, determinate as the four seasons; with this correct principle, government was as impartial as heaven and earth; how can it be said that the early kings did not use rewards and punishments?