《新唐书·本纪·卷一·高祖》
但考察一个王朝的兴起与终止、太平与动乱，看看它们的功业、德行有高有低、有厚有薄和用来维持它的制度法纪的是什么，以及它的后代，有的渐渐兴盛繁荣，有的突然败坏混乱，有的逐步加剧衰颓，有的能够振起中兴，有的终于不能支撑而垮台，虽然各顺其势，然而都是有德的就兴盛，无德行就绝灭，这难道不是所谓的 天命 总不显示它的征兆，而使握有国柄者兢兢业业以自勉吗？
然考其终始治乱，顾其功德有厚薄与其制度纪纲所以维持者何如，而其后世，或浸以隆昌，或遽以坏乱，或渐以陵迟，或能振而复起，或遂至于不可支持，虽各因其势，然有德则兴，无德则绝，岂非所谓天命者常不显其符，而俾有国者兢兢以自勉耶？
But by examining the rise and fall, peace and chaos of a dynasty, looking at whether their achievements and virtues were high or low, thick or thin, and what system and laws they used to maintain it, and its descendants, some gradually became prosperous, some suddenly deteriorated and became chaotic, some gradually worsened , some were able to revive the rejuvenation, and some finally could not sustain and collapsed, although each followed the trend, but it was those with virtue who prospered and those without virtue who were destroyed. Isn't this what is said to be the Mandate of Heaven that never shows its signs, but makes those who hold the reins of government take it upon themselves to do so?