《资治通鉴·梁纪·梁纪五》
然而朝廷选拔人才，只要求他们文采好，而不考察他们的本体如何，考察孝廉只根据他们的章句学问如何，而不看他们有无治理国家的方法。设立中正官职只辩识他们的姓氏，而不考察应选者的才能、品行，选取士人的路途不广，淘汰的办法不严密。
而朝廷贡才，止求其文，不取其理，察孝廉唯论章句，不及治道，立中正不考才行，空辩氏姓，取士之途不博，沙汰之理未精。
However, the imperial court has been selecting men based solely on their literary skills, and not on the quality of their characters; it has been selecting filial and incorruptible officials based solely on their skills in writing paragraphs and chapters, and not on whether they have true skills in managing the country. The government has been selecting men based solely on their family names, and not on ability and moral character. It has been casting a wide net, and not weeding out the unsuitable.