《梁书·列传·卷五十三》
汉武帝时徭役繁重，各种奸偶都纷纷出现，任用良善的官吏、采用清平时代的治理方法不能止住奸伪，所以任用酷吏、采用诛戮之刑来制止奸伪，但同时也因滥施刑诛带来许多怨怪。
汉武役繁奸起，循平不能，故有苛酷诛戮以胜之，亦多怨滥矣。
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, hard labor and military service were burdensome, and various dishonest and ruthless people emerged. By appointing honest officials and using the governing methods of the peaceful ages to suppress dishonesty and ruthlessness was ineffectual, so ruthless officials were appointed and capital punishment was used, but many grievances were also incurred through such misapplication of severe punishments.