《宋史·列传·卷一百九十五》
但孔子独以为，三纲既已不复存在，则人也异化而为禽兽了。孔子为此奔走呼号，却始终找不到共鸣之声，因而立志写《春秋》，希望以此书扼制乱臣贼子。
而孔子独以为三纲既绝，则人道遂为禽兽，皇皇奔走，义不能以一朝安。然卒于无所遇，而发其志于《春秋》之书，犹能以惧乱臣贼子。
But Confucius believed that once the Three纲s no longer existed, then men would degenerate into beasts. Confucius traveled around shouting and calling for help, but he never found the resonance, so he decided to write the "Spring and Autumn Annals", hoping to use this book to curb the chaos of ministers and traitors.