《周书·列传·卷三十八》
左中郎将京兆韦潜度对薛 隘说： 您的门第地位并不微贱低下，身的才能又不低劣，为什么不揽衣挥拂恭恭敬敬地多去参见吏部? 薛恺回答：  世胄蹑高位，英俊沉下僚，古人都因此而叹息。
左中郎将京兆韦潜度谓憕曰： 君门地非下，身材不劣，何不憕裾数参吏部？ 憕曰：  世冑蹑高位，英俊沉下僚 ，古人以为叹息。
The General of the Left, Wei Qianshou of Jingzhao, said to Xue Ai, "Your family background is not humble, and your talents are not inferior. Why don't you dust off your robes, pay your respects, and visit the Ministry of Personnel more often?" Xue Ai replied, "People of noble birth occupy high positions, while brilliant and talented people are relegated to lower ranks. The ancients all sighed over this."