《资治通鉴·汉纪·汉纪三十二》
光武帝刚刚即位，群雄竞逐，四海之内像滚水般沸腾。那些冲锋陷阵的人，有权谋而善辩的人，正为世人所敬重。而唯独光武帝能起用忠厚之臣，表彰奉公守法的官吏，从社会最底层选拔人才，安排在公卿首位。他所以能光复汉室，长治久安，是由于他知道首先必须做什么才能达到根本目的的缘故。
光武即位之初，群雄竞逐，四海鼎沸，彼摧坚陷敌之人，权略诡辩之士，方见重于世，而独能取忠厚之臣，旌循良之吏，拔于草莱之中，实诸群公之首，宜其光复旧物，享祚久长，盖由知所先务而得其本原故也。
Immediately after Emperor Guangwu ascended the throne, warlords competed with one another, and the whole country seethed like boiling water. The people who made a quick attack and fought bravely, and those who were scheming and good at arguing, were respected by the world. However, Emperor Guangwu alone was able to promote loyal and honest ministers, highly praise the officials who observed the laws and kept their duty, and select talents from the lowest level of society, arranging them in the most important positions. That he was able to restore the Han Dynasty and maintain a long-lasting peace was because he knew what had to be done first so as to achieve the fundamental goal.