《汉书·传·董仲舒传》
孔子作《春秋》，上度量天道。下验证人情，参看于古代，考察于今时。
孔子作《春秋》，上揆之天道，下质诸人情，参之于古，考之于今。
Confucius wrote the "Spring and Autumn Annals" to measure the way of Heaven above and verify human nature below, referring to the past and examining the present.