又曰：「唐、虞以上之治，后世不可复也，略之可也；三代以下之治，后世不可法也，削之可也；惟三代之治可行。然而世之论三代者，不明其本而徒事其末，则亦不可复矣。」
又说：「唐尧虞舜以前的治道，后世不可能恢复，省略它是可以的；三代以下的治道，后世不可效法，删削它是可以的；只有三代之治可以施行。然而世人论三代，不明白它的根本而只学它的末节，那也不可能恢复了。」
He also said: "The government of Yao and Shun and before cannot be restored in later ages — it may be passed over. The government after the three dynasties cannot be taken as model — it may be cut away. Only the rule of the three dynasties can be practiced. Yet those who discuss the three dynasties today, missing the root and clinging to the branches, cannot restore even that."