《资治通鉴·梁纪·梁纪八》
过去，北魏投降梁朝的人都称自己在北魏的官职为伪官，只有元在向梁武帝上表时却仍自称是北魏临淮王；梁武帝也很赞赏他的儒雅风度，并未加以责难。
先是，魏人降者皆称魏官为伪，彧表启独称魏临淮王；上亦体其雅素，不之责。
In the past, those who surrendered from Northern Wei to Liang called themselves pseudo-officials in Northern Wei. Only Yuan Ting still called himself the King of Northern Wei Linhuai in his submission to Emperor Wudi of Liang; Liang Wudi also admired his elegant demeanor and did not blame him.