The writer cannot be a mere storyteller; he cannot be a mere teacher; he cannot be a mere entertainer. He must be all of these and more.

The more a person tells his story, the more he becomes his story.

作家的角色是质疑而非安慰。

译文：借鉴前代兴衰，考察当下得失。《通鉴》的写作宗旨，直指现实关怀。