《论衡·卷十八·齐世篇》
画工好画古代的人，秦汉时期的人，即使功绩操行很突出，画工也不肯画他们。不肯画当世的人，是因为画工尊古卑今的缘故。
画工好画上代之人，秦、汉之士，功行谲奇，不肯图今世之士者，尊古卑今也。
Painters like to paint people from ancient times, such as the Qin and Han dynasties. Even if their achievements and conduct were outstanding, painters would not paint them. The reason why they would not paint people of their own time was because painters venerated the past and despised the present.