《贞观政要·卷三·君臣鉴戒》
君臣能够秉持公正的道义，让天下人才发挥各自的才能，国君在内尽心尽力，大臣在外竭力辅佐，二者融洽得就像汤中的盐和梅，坚固得就像金石一样。达到这样的境界，不是靠高官厚禄，而在于以礼相待。
其能开至公之道，申天下之用，内尽心膂，外竭股肱，和若盐梅，固同金石者，非惟高位厚秩，在于礼之而已。
Rulers and ministers could adhere to just principles, fully utilize all the talented people in the world, with the ruler exerting great efforts in the court and ministers doing their utmost to assist outside; the two complementing each other like salt and plums in a soup, as solid as gold and stone. To attain such a state does not rely on high officials and generous salaries, but on treating each other with respect.