《三国志·魏书·崔毛徐何邢鲍司马传》
明帝听从了他的建议。每次有上级官员召见官吏，往往先去见上官的掾史，让他们为自己推断被召见的原因，并教给他们回复上级让他们满意的情况，见面时就全部按掾史教的那样做。司马芝性情诚实正直，不夸耀，严正端方。
每上官有所召问，常先见掾史，为断其意故，教其所以答塞之状，皆如所度。芝性亮直，不矜廉隅。
Emperor Ming listened to his suggestion. Every time there are senior officials summoning officials, they often go to see the officers and let them infer the reason for being summoned, and teach them to satisfy the superiors that they will meet. Sima Zhi's nature is honest and upright, not exaggerated, and serious.