Ashoka the Great:

I have had this inscription of Dharma engraved in order that my sons and great-grandsons may not consider making new conquests, or that if military conquests are made, that they be done with forbearance and light punishment, or better still, that they consider making conquest by Dharma only, for that bears fruit in this world and the next.

— Ashoka the Great Ancient

Indian emperor, spread Buddhism

Context

Rock Edict XIII, Kalinga conquest aftermath

Date / Period

c. 260 BCE

Source

https://www.cs.colostate.edu/~malaiya/ashoka.html

Verification

Unverifiable

Explanation

Found in 1 providers: deepseek

Method

Cross Reference

Sources Checked

1 source

More from Ashoka the Great

"All men are my children. What I desire for my own children, and I desire their welfare and happiness both in this world and the next, that I desire for all men."

Strange & Unusual

"Thus speaks King Priyadarsin, Beloved of the Gods: I have had this Dhamma edict written so that my sons and grandsons, and as long as the sun and moon endure, may follow it. For by following it, happi…"

Controversial

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

Controversial

"I consider the promotion of the people's welfare my highest duty, and its exercise is grounded in work and constant application."

Strange & Unusual

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

Controversial

View all sayings from Ashoka the Great