Appraisal states:

Chéng Yù, Guō Jiā, Dǒng Zhāo, Liú Yè, Jiǎng Jì were talented in strategies, the age’s unusual servicemen, though in pure cultivation and virtuous enterprise they were different from Xún Yōu, yet in preparing and planning in expectation, they were of his order.

Liú Fàng was cultured in writing, Sūn Zī diligent and cautious, both acting as throat and tongue, their authority famed in their time, elegant and bright but not substantial, and therefore the sound of mockery and flattery, always surpassed the truth.

評曰：程昱、郭嘉、董昭、劉曄、蔣濟才策謀略，世之奇士，雖清治德業，殊於荀攸，而籌畫所料，是其倫也。劉放文翰，孫資勤慎，並管喉舌，權聞當時，雅亮非體，是故譏諛之聲，每過其實矣。