A poet’s musings can be likened to a soaring eagle; a literary work should inspire awe like a rainbow across the sky. He feels as if placed on a steep and lofty cliff overlooking the Wuxia Gorge. Clouds swiftly drift away, escorted by a strong wind. Thus, he cultivates vital energies deep inside him, grows in fortitude, and lives out his simple and unadorned life adhering to the principle of propriety. A poet should fully understand the rules governing the robust, ceaseless operation of heavenly forces and needs to accumulate inner strength to produce truly good poetry. (Sikong Tu: Twenty-four Styles of Poetry)

Shi Yannian is vigorous and unrestrained. He prizes moral integrity. When reading a book, all he does is to get a basic understanding of its essential meaning. But when he writes, he writes with vim and vigor. He excels at poetry. His calligraphy is also admirable. (The History of the Song Dynasty)