| | 宋弘: |
上嘗問宋弘通博之士，弘薦沛國桓譚才學洽聞，幾及楊雄、劉向父子。於是召譚拜議郎、給事中。上每讌，輒令鼓琴，好其繁聲。弘聞之，不悅，悔於薦舉。聞譚內出，正朝服坐府上，遣吏召之。譚至，不與席而讓之曰：「吾所以薦子者，欲令輔國家以道德，而今數進鄭聲以亂雅樂，非頌德忠正也。」後大會群臣，上使譚鼓琴，見弘，失其常度。上怪而問之，弘乃離席免冠謝曰：「臣所以薦桓譚者，望能以忠正導主，而令朝廷耽悅鄭聲，臣之罪也。」其後不復令譚給事中。 |
| | The emperor once asked Song Hong about erudite scholars, and Hong recommended Huan Tan of Pei Guo, saying that his talent and learning were extensive and profound, nearly comparable to those of Yang Xiong and the father-son duo Liu Xiang. Huan Tan was then summoned and appointed as Yilang and Jishizhong. Whenever the emperor held banquets, he would always have Huan Tan play the qin, enjoying its elaborate melodies. Song Hong heard about this and was displeased, regretting his recommendation of Huan Tan. Hearing that Huan Tan had left the palace grounds, Song Hong sat in formal court attire at the government office and sent an official to summon him. When Huan Tan arrived, Song Hong did not offer him a seat and rebuked him, saying: "The reason I recommended you was to have you assist the state with virtue and morality. But now you repeatedly present decadent music to disrupt refined court music; this is not praising virtue or demonstrating loyalty and integrity." Later, at a grand assembly of officials, the emperor had Huan Tan play the qin. When Huan saw Song Hong, he lost his usual composure. The emperor was surprised and asked about it, whereupon Song Hong left his seat, removed his hat, and apologized, saying: "The reason I recommended Huan Tan was to hope that he would guide the sovereign with loyalty and integrity. But now the court is indulging in decadent music, which is my fault." Afterward, Huan Tan was no longer allowed to serve as Jishizhong.
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| | 宋弘: |
宋弘為司空，常受俸得鹽豉千斛，遣諸生迎取上河，令糶之。鹽賤，諸生不糶，弘怒，便遣，及其賤，悉糶賣，不與民爭利。 |
| | Song Hong, while serving as Sikong, often received a thousand hu of salted broad beans as salary. He sent students to fetch them from the upper reaches of the river and ordered that they be sold. When the price of salt was low, the students did not sell it. Song Hong became angry and immediately sent them away. When the price dropped further, he sold all of it himself, refraining from competing with the people for profit.
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| | 宋弘: |
宋弘嘗燕見，御坐新施屏風，圖畫烈女，帝數顧視之。弘正容言曰：「未見好德如好色者。」上即為撤之。時上姊胡陽公主新寡，上與共論朝臣，微觀其意。主曰：「宋公威容德器，群臣莫及。」上曰：「方且圖之。」後弘見上，令主坐屏風後，因謂弘曰：「諺言貴易交，富易妻，人情乎？」弘曰：「臣聞貧賤之交不可忘，糟糠之妻不下堂。」上顧謂主曰：「事不諧矣。」 |
| | Song Hong once had a private audience, and on the emperor's seat there was a newly placed screen wind with paintings of virtuous women. The emperor often glanced at it. Song Hong spoke in a serious tone, saying: "I have not seen anyone who loves virtue as much as he loves beauty." The emperor immediately had it removed. At that time, the empress's elder sister, Huyang Gongzhu, was newly widowed. The emperor discussed court officials with her and subtly observed her intentions. The princess said: "Prince Song's dignified bearing and moral character are unmatched by any of the ministers." The emperor said: "Then I shall plan for it soon." Later, when Song Hong met with the emperor, he had the princess sit behind a screen wind. He then said to Song Hong: "The proverb says that people change friends when they become noble and wives when they grow rich—does this reflect human nature?" Song Hong said: "I have heard that one should not forget friends made in poverty and humble status, nor send away a wife who has shared hardship." The emperor looked at the princess and said: "Then the matter will not work out."
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