People are inherently mortal, either heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather. -Sima Qian in the Western Han Dynasty, "Holding the Letter of Security"

Sima Qian (former 145 or former 135- 86), born in xia yang (now Hancheng, Shaanxi), was a famous historian and writer in ancient China. The Historical Records written by him is recognized as a model of China's historical books, so it is called Shi Qian and Tai Shigong by later generations.