《旧唐书·列传·卷十三》
魏征对太宗说 ：有违背众人心愿而坚持法度的臣子，圣明的君主因为忠诚而原谅他；有孤立无援而坚持节操的臣子，圣明的君主因为刚正而原谅他。
魏徵进而言曰： 臣有逆众以执法，明主恕之以忠；臣有孤特以执节，明主恕之以劲。
Wei Zheng said to Emperor Taizong: "There are ministers who go against the wish of the public but keep the principle, and the wise monarchs would excuse them because of their loyalty; there are ministers who stand alone but keep their integrity, and the wise monarchs would excuse them because of their uprightness."