《新唐书·列传·卷九十九》
于是对着香案行顿首礼说 ：我当宰相，不能推荐贤才贬斥奸臣，被人嘲讽为拉宗派，这不能维护朝廷的威信。 
因当香案顿首曰： 臣位宰相，不能进贤退不肖，以朋党获讥，非所以重朝廷。 
Then, he bowed to the altar and said: As the prime minister, I failed to recommend virtuous officials and demote treacherous ministers, and was mocked for forming factions. This has damaged the prestige of the court.