《资治通鉴·汉纪·汉纪二十三》
而王莽是屈己下人，态度谦恭，勤学苦修，学识渊博，穿着像儒生。侍奉母亲跟寡嫂，抚养亡兄的孤儿，十分尽心周到。同时，在外结交的都是些俊杰之士，在内对待诸位伯父叔父，能委曲迁就，礼敬有加。
莽因折节为恭俭，勤身博学，被服如儒生；事母及寡嫂，养孤兄子，行甚敕备；又外交英俊，内事诸父，曲有礼意。
However, Wang Mang humbled himself, was humble in his attitude, worked hard, was knowledgeable, and dressed like a Confucian scholar. He served his mother and widowed sister-in-law and brought up his eldest brother's orphan with all his heart and soul. At the same time, he made friends with outstanding people outside and treated his uncles and uncles with consideration and respect.