1. 自成康以来，几且千岁，欲为治者甚众，然而太平不复兴者，何也？以其舍法度，而任私意，奢侈行而仁义废也。（卷十九 汉书七）
【白话】自成康盛世以来，将近千年，想使天下大治的君王很多，然而太平盛世不复出现，这是为什么呢？因为领导者舍弃了治国的常理常法，而放任自己个人的私欲行事，导致奢侈横行而仁义废弛。
Almost a thousand years have passed since the heyday of King Cheng and King Kang, and many rulers having tried to attain the same glory. But this golden era of peace and prosperity never returned. Why has this been so? It is because rulers have forsaken the law and moral standards, and have instead pursued selfish desires, spoiling themselves with extravagance, and totally neglecting the practice of benevolence and righteousness. (Scroll 19: Han Shu, Vol. 7)
