《资治通鉴·唐纪·唐纪二十一》
至于违法背礼的人，刁猾凶残之徒，当百姓则以偷盗为业，当官则以贪赃索贿为目标。而元旦的朝会，期望皇帝的恩泽，重阳的节日，久立等待降皇恩，结果正如他们所揣测，全都获得赦免。
今六合清晏而赦令不息，近则一年再降，远则每岁无遗，至于违法悖礼之徒，无赖不仁之辈，编户则寇攘为业，当官则赃贿是求。而元日之朝，指期天泽，重阳之节，伫降皇恩，如其忖度，咸果释免。
Nowadays, however, those who break the law and act immorally, those who are cunning and cruel—as commoners, they devote themselves to thievery, as officials, to extortion and corruption. And yet, when they attend the New Year's Day court in hopes of receiving the emperor's favor, or when they stand waiting on the Double Ninth Festival for the bestowal of imperial blessings, their predictions are borne out, and they are granted amnesty.