Ashoka the Great

Therefore, even if a man wrongs me, I forgive him as far as it is possible to forgive.

I have had this Dhamma edict written for the welfare and happiness of all people. For I consider that the greatest happiness is to lead people to the Dhamma. And this Dhamma consists of mercy, charity, truthfulness, purity, gentleness, and goodness. And I have done many other good deeds also.

Thus speaks King Priyadarsin, Beloved of the Gods: I have had this Dhamma edict written for the welfare and happiness of all people. For I consider that the greatest happiness is to lead people to the Dhamma.

I have had this Dhamma edict written so that my sons and grandsons may not think of new conquests, and that if a conquest by arms should become necessary, they should practice forbearance and light punishment. And they should consider conquest by Dhamma to be the only true conquest. This is for this world and the next. For this is a matter of great merit.

Thus speaks King Priyadarsin, Beloved of the Gods: I have had this Dhamma edict written so that my sons and grandsons may not think of new conquests, and that if a conquest by arms should become necessary, they should practice forbearance and light punishment. And they should consider conquest by Dhamma to be the only true conquest.

This Dhamma edict was written by me after I had been consecrated twenty-six years. I have caused this Dhamma edict to be inscribed for the following purpose: that it may endure for a long time, and that my sons and grandsons and great-grandsons may follow it and live according to it. And this is for the welfare and happiness of all people. For I consider that the greatest happiness is to lead people to the Dhamma.

Thus speaks King Priyadarsin, Beloved of the Gods: I have had this Dhamma edict written so that my sons and grandsons and great-grandsons may follow it and live according to it. And this is for the welfare and happiness of all people. For I consider that the greatest happiness is to lead people to the Dhamma.

Even this slight progress is not to be despised. For it is by such small efforts that great results are achieved.

I have had this Dhamma edict written so that my sons and grandsons and great-grandsons may follow it and live according to it. And this is for the welfare and happiness of all people.

I have had this Dhamma edict written so that my sons and grandsons and great-grandsons may follow it and live according to it.

Thus speaks King Priyadarsin, Beloved of the Gods: I have had this Dhamma edict written so that my sons and grandsons and great-grandsons may follow it and live according to it.

I have had this Dhamma edict written for the welfare and happiness of all people.

Thus speaks King Priyadarsin, Beloved of the Gods: I have had this Dhamma edict written for the welfare and happiness of all people.

For I consider that the greatest happiness is to lead people to the Dhamma.

And this Dhamma consists of mercy, charity, truthfulness, purity, gentleness, and goodness.

Therefore, it is my wish that there should be uniformity in judicial procedure and punishment. For many people are imprisoned, tortured, and killed unjustly. This is not good.

My agents, appointed over many people, are also often attached to certain individuals. One person is imprisoned, another is released. One is tortured, another is not. One is killed, another is not. This is not good. Therefore, it is my wish that there should be uniformity in judicial procedure and punishment, and that my agents should act impartially.

Thus speaks King Priyadarsin, Beloved of the Gods: All men are my children. What I desire for my own children, and I desire that they may obtain welfare and happiness both in this world and the next, that I desire for all men.

I have appointed Dhamma-Mahamatras when I had been consecrated thirteen years. They are employed among all sects for the establishment of Dhamma, for the promotion of Dhamma, and for the welfare and happiness of all those devoted to Dhamma. And they are also employed for the welfare and happiness of all people.

Thus speaks King Priyadarsin, Beloved of the Gods: For a long time past, it has not happened that Mahamatras named Dhamma-Mahamatras were appointed. I have appointed Dhamma-Mahamatras when I had been consecrated thirteen years.