《淮南子·览冥训》
到了当今时代，天子处最高地位，以道德治理天下，并辅以仁义，所以天子身边的大臣奉献出他们的智慧，广大百姓则感怀天子的恩德，天子从容指挥，天下便会归服，春夏秋冬四季都会按时节献上各自的贡品，天下统一为一个整体，子孙代代相传。这就是五帝顺从天意应顺天德的做法。
逮至当今之时，天子在上位，持以道德，辅以仁义；近者献其智，远者怀其德；拱揖指麾，而四海宾服；春秋冬夏，皆献其贡职；天下混而为一，子孙相代，此五帝之所以迎天德也。
In today's world, the emperor is in the highest position, using morality to govern the world and assisted by benevolence and righteousness. Therefore, the ministers around the emperor dedicate their wisdom, and the people appreciate the kindness of the emperor, the emperor issues commands with ease, and the world surrenders and submits, each season offers its produce on time, the world is unified as a whole, and the generations pass down the tradition. This is what the Five Emperors did in accordance with the will of Heaven and their own virtues.