《宋史·列传·卷二十四》
李昉在中书省任职时，有人请求任用，虽然知道此人才能可取，一定正色加以拒绝，后来任用他；如果此人才能不足用，一定和颜悦色对待他。
昉居中书日，有求进用者，虽知其材可取，必正色拒绝之，已而擢用；或不足用，必和颜温语待之。
When Li Fang was working in the Central Secretariat, someone asked for an appointment. Although he knew that the man was talented, he would definitely refuse him seriously and appoint him later. If the man was not talented enough, he would definitely treat him with a smile.