《左传·昭公·昭公二十二年》
莒子将要迎战，苑羊牧之劝谏说： 齐国的元帅地位低下，他的要求不多，不如向他低头，大国是不能激怒的。 
莒子将战，苑羊牧之谏曰： 齐帅贱，其求不多，不如下之。大国不可怒也。 
When Juzi was about to fight the Qi troops, Yuan Yang Mu Zhi advised him, saying: "The commander of the Qi army is inferior, and his demands are few. It is better to yield to him. A major power cannot be angered."