《宋史·列传·卷七十八》
这一时期，优秀的青年们大量涌现，曾巩对他们的态度是淡薄的。
敞进读《史记》，至尧授舜以天下，拱而言曰： 舜至侧微也，尧禅之以位，天地享之，百姓戴之，非有他道，惟孝友之德，光于上下耳。 帝竦体改容，知其以义理讽也。
Once, when he passed by the imperial court, Emperor Shenzong summoned him and treated him with great favor. Zeng was therefore left to be the judge of the three divisions.