"For a long time in the past, for many hundreds of years, there had ever been increased killing of living beings, cruelty to living beings, disrespect to relatives, disrespect to Brahmans and ascetics."

"The Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadasi, speaks thus: This progress among the people through Dhamma has been done by two means, by Dhamma regulations and by persuasion."

"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, …"

"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."

"It is not possible to achieve great progress by violence. Indeed, it is by kindness and gentleness that progress is achieved."