《国语·周语·刘文公与苌弘欲城周》
天道是支持可行而排斥不可行的，苌弘的行为与此相反，而且还诳惑刘文公，因而必定会遭到三方面的灾殃：一是违背上天，二是逆转常度，三是诳惑他人。
夫天道导可而省否，苌叔反是，以诳刘子，必有三殃：违天，一也；反道，二也；诳人，三也。
The Dao of Heaven is to support what is possible, and to eliminate what is impossible, Chang Hong's behaviour goes against this, moreover he deceived Duke Wen of Liu, and so is bound to bring disaster from three directions: first, he has offended Heaven, second, he has reversed the normal order, third, he has deceived others.