《旧唐书·列传·卷五十》
说罢拂衣而去，闭门数天，皇上听说就特令他不要放弃职守。那一年窦怀贞伏法处死，皇帝下诏表彰他贤良方正，能 折佞臣之枯权，拂衣而谢 。
故以事闻海内，名动京师，鹰隼是击，豺狼自远。必能条理前弊，发挥旧章，宜承弄印之荣，式允登车之志。
After saying this, he turned and left, closing his doors for several days. The emperor heard of this and specifically ordered him not to resign. In that year, Dou Huaizhen was convicted and executed. The emperor issued an edict to commend his uprightness and strong character, which allowed him to resist the power of treacherous ministers and resign from his post.