《周书·列传·卷二十三》
如果在文笔高超的人士中找到道德品行优秀的人才，这样就是具有黄金般的外表和玉石般的品质，裹外都美，确实是人中珍宝；如果在懂得舞文弄墨的人中找了一些刻薄伪诈的小人，这样就好像在朽木上雕饰图案，衹能一时好看，却不能用来充当椽木使用。
若刀笔之中而得志行，是则金相玉质，内外俱美，实为人宝也；若刀笔之中而得浇伪，是则饰画朽木，悦目一时，不可以充榱椽之用也。
If one can find a man of moral character among the clever writers, it is like finding a man with the outward appearance of gold and the inner qualities of jade. He is precious both within and without. But if one finds a mean and treacherous knave among the clever writers, it is like carving mouldering wood. It may look pretty for a while, but it can hardly be used for the beams of a house.