《资治通鉴·汉纪·汉纪二十》
元帝屡次谦恭地向他请教如何治理国家。贡禹说： 古时候，君王都很节约，因而用度也很有限，除了征收十分之一的赋税外，没有其它赋税遥役，所以家家户户都保持自给自足的生活。
上数虚已问以政事，禹奏言： 古者人君节俭，什一而税，亡它赋役，故家给人足。
Emperor Yuan repeatedly asked him for advice on governance with humility. Gong Yu replied: “In ancient times, the kings were all thrifty, and their expenditures were limited. Apart from collecting a 10% poll tax, there was no corvee or other tax collection. Therefore, every household lived a self-sufficient life.”