《宋书·列传·卷七十四》
 我才低能浅，承蒙皇上的看重，做到很大的官职，远远超过了平常军人，驻守北方边疆抱着一腔热血，常希望捐躯为国，报效皇上的知遇之恩，有时候觉得心潮澎湃，所以看到荆州人的行动非常恼火，看到江州刺史的叛乱，万分气愤，如果我死了国家安宁，我一定要捐躯疆场，况且有皇上英明的指挥，统率众多义军，一定会有胜利的把握，这是众人看得很清楚的。
仆以不肖，过蒙荣私，荷佩升越，光绝伦伍。家本北边，志存慷慨，常甘投生，以殉艰棘，惟恩思难，激气冲襟，故以眺三湘而永慨，望九江而遐愤。若使身死国康，誓在殒命，况仰禀圣略，俯鞠义徒，万全之形，愚夫所照。
My talent is shallow, and I am honored to be valued by the emperor. I have achieved a high official position, far surpassing the ordinary military, stationed in the northern border with a hot blood, often hoping to die for the country, and to repay the emperor's kindness. Sometimes I feel ups and downs, so I am very angry to see the actions of Jingzhou people and very angry to see the rebellion of Jiangzhou governor. If I die and the country is peaceful, I must die on the battlefield. Moreover, with the emperor's wise command, leading a large number of volunteer troops, he will surely have the certainty of victory, which is very clear for everyone to see.