《魏书·列传·卷三》
有关官员上奏国家用度不足，一再请求恢复旧税额，仅元素说： 我听说 百姓不充足，君主跟谁充足。 ，皇帝认为他说得对而听从。
有司奏国用不足，固请复之。惟素曰： 臣闻： 百姓不足，君孰与足？  帝善而从之。
The relevant officials submitted memorials stating that state revenues were insufficient and repeatedly requested the restoration of old tax rates, but only Yuan Su said: "I have heard the saying: If the people are not rich, who can the sovereign be rich with?" The emperor agreed with his argument and accepted it.