《史记·三十世家·魏世家》
梁惠王说： 寡人没有才能，军队三次在国外受挫折，太子被俘，上将战死，国内因而空虚，以致使祖先的宗庙社稷受到羞辱，寡人非常惭愧。老先生屈尊亲临敝国朝廷，将用什么方法使我国得利呢？ 
梁惠王曰： 寡人不佞，兵三折於外，太子虏，上将死，国以空虚，以羞先君宗庙社稷，寡人甚丑之，叟不远千里，辱幸至弊邑之廷，将何利吾国？ 
King Hui of Liang said, "I have no talent. My army has suffered three defeats abroad, the Crown Prince has been captured, and my generals have died in battle. The capital is now devastated, and my ancestors' temples and altars have been humiliated. I, the sovereign, am deeply ashamed. Sir, you have honored me with your presence at my court. What can you do to benefit my country?"