《资治通鉴·汉纪·汉纪三十九》
我看到大将军窦宪，在先帝驾崩后不久，公卿曾接连上奏，希望由他主持国家事务，但他严守谦恭退让的原则，坚决辞去高位，态度十分诚恳，言辞极为深挚。天下人听到以后，无不感到欣喜。
伏见大将军宪，始遭大忧，公卿比奏，欲令典干国事。宪深执谦退，固辞盛位，恳恳勤勤，言之深至，天下闻之，莫不悦喜。
When the late emperor just passed away, I saw that the Grand Marshal Dou Xian, the prime minister, and others submitted memorials in succession, hoping that he would preside over the state affairs, but he strictly adhered to the principle of being modest and yielding, and resolutely resigned from the high position, with a very sincere attitude and insightful words. When people heard about it, they were all delighted.