《宋史·列传·卷一百九十六》
天下之大事，决非一家之私事，为什么不顺应民心，与国人共议大事呢？ 真德秀还说： 乾道、淳熙年间，在朝之臣概以接收馈赠为耻，地方官吏也以接收贿赂为羞，然而，现在贿赂之风公行，且相互熏染，恬不知怪。 
天下之事非一家之私，何惜不与众共之？ 且言： 乾道、淳熙间，有位于朝者以馈及门为耻，受任于外者以包苴入都为羞。
The major affairs concerning the world are not the private affairs of one person. Why not follow the will of the people and discuss major affairs with the people of the country? Zhen Dexiu also said: During the years of Qiandao and Chunxi, the ministers in the court generally considered it shameful to accept gifts, and local officials also felt ashamed to accept bribes. However, now, the habit of taking bribes is widely spread and people are mutually influenced, and those who accept bribes feel no shame.