《宋史·列传·卷四十一》
真宗素来认为王旦贤能，王旦曾奏事后退下，真宗目送他说： 替朕导致太平的人，必定是此人。 钱若水被免除枢密院职务，得以在苑中召对，真宗询问大臣中可以任用的人，钱若水说： 王旦有德行威望，能够胜任大事。 真宗说 ：这本来是朕心里所属的人。 咸平三年，王旦又任知贡举，被锁宿十天，授任给事中、同知枢密院事。
帝素贤旦，尝奏事退，目送之曰： 为朕致太平者，必斯人也。 钱若水罢枢务，得对苑中，访近臣之可用者，若水言： 旦有德望，堪任大事。 帝曰： 此固朕心所属也。 咸平三年，又知贡举，锁宿旬日，拜给事中、同知枢密院事。
Emperor Zhenzong had always considered Wang Dan to be capable. Once, after Wang Dan had reported a matter, the emperor escorted him out, saying: “The one who will bring peace and prosperity to me must be this man.” After Qian Ruoshui was dismissed from his post at the Privy Council, he was summoned to an audience in the imperial garden. The emperor asked him who among the ministers could be appointed to a position. Qian Ruoshui replied: “Wang Dan has both virtue and prestige. He can shoulder major responsibilities.” The emperor said: “This is indeed the man I have in mind.” In the third year of Xianping, Wang Dan was again appointed as assistant examiner for the imperial examination. He spent ten days in seclusion to prepare for the exam. Finally, he was appointed as a Middle Secretary and Assistant Director of the Privy Council.