《贞观政要·卷二·论纳谏》
我们刚刚统一了天下，还没有从战争所造成的影响中恢复过来，民生凋敝。这个时候应该提倡节俭，以礼治国，陛下您更应该以身作则。
方今承百王之末，属凋弊之余，必欲节之以礼制，陛下宜以身为先。
We had only just unified the world, had not yet recovered from the effects of the war, and the people were impoverished. At this time, thrift and ruling the country with propriety should be promoted, and Your Majesty should lead by example.