《论衡·卷十九·宣汉篇》
世俗喜好赞美称颂远古时代，说祥瑞就认为古代的为好，论治理天下就认为古代的帝王贤明，在当今见到卓绝的帝王，却始终不相信。
俗好褒远称古，讲瑞上世为美，论治则古王为贤，睹奇於今，终不信然。
Secular people enjoy praising and admiring ancient times, saying that omens in ancient times were better and that ancient emperors were wiser and more worthy while not believing when they see excellent emperors in the present day.